FERTILIZERS. 
237 
are common to argillaceous soils. This fact is explained in the usual language, by saying, 
that lime has a stronger affinity for silica than potash. Another perceptible effect of lime is to 
change the physical condition of argillaceous soils; they become by its use porous and light. 
If the foregoing remarks are true, it appears that lime must become, in this country, as im¬ 
portant to farmers as it has become in Europe. Its effects are often remarkable, especially 
upon lands which have been long under the plough. Probably the effects of lime are more 
perceptible in Maryland, Virginia, and other southern States, where maize, wheat and tobacco 
have been cultivated and manures neglected, than in New-England and New-York. Notwith¬ 
standing the facts stated may be regarded as fully substantiated, still it happens that lime is 
apparently useless ; hence some agriculturists regard lime as ot little value. Its failure it is 
evident must arise from the sufficient supply of lime in the soil; no other reason can account 
for its failure, for it is required by all cultivated crops, and if a crop does not appear benefited 
it is clear that it does not want lime. It is not injurious ; it will be wanted in time ; it will not 
be lost in the end, but now its good offices do not appear. It is supposed, by some physiolo¬ 
gists, that lime, to be beneficial, must come in contact with organic matter in the soil; hence, 
if no organic matter is present, it remains comparatively inert. Organic matter undoubtedly 
aids materially the immediate and visible effects of lime upon a crop ; still where potash exists 
in combination with silica, it will not fail to decompose this silicate. 
What are some of the ultimate effects of the use of lime 1 Reflection on this point will lead 
us to adopt the following conclusions : lime increases the products of the field, and from the 
conjoined effects upon it, it is plain that a larger quantity of phosphoric acid, of potash, soda, 
and of organic matters, are used than if lime had not been employed ; the consequence plainly 
follows that, where no other fertilizer is employed, the soil is more rapidly exhausted, and 
hence in time, sooner or later, according to the quantity of nutriment in the soil, the effects of 
liming will be seen in the diminution of the value of the crops. The land is evidently im¬ 
poverished. Is this an objection to the use of lime I Certainly not; but the use of lime, by 
itself, is objectionable, if persevered in ; the system is not the best. Where we are satisfied 
that potash may be obtained by the use of subcaustic lime, it is a profitable employment of it; 
but it should be followed by other fertilizers, in a compounded state, those from stables par¬ 
ticularly. Such a course would be pursued, were it it not for the fact that the land produces 
so well that nothing more is required ; and hence, setting experience aside, there is no call for 
other fertilizers, until indeed the land itself proclaims its wants, by refusing to give the ordi¬ 
nary crops ; and it is not to be regarded as strange that, even then, those calls are interpreted 
wrongly, for considering how lime has increased the fertility in years past, it is quite probable 
that the farmer may infer that more lime is called for, and more is added, followed with in¬ 
creasing injury, the stock of the other aliments being reduced still farther by its operation. 
Land which has been thus treated, is not renovated at once ; but time and judicious treatment 
will restore the soil to its former condition. 
From the foregoing remarks and facts, as stated, farmers will not resort to the use of lime, 
without first satisfying themselves that lime is wanted, or that the soil is deficient in this ele- 
