30 
CABBAGE. 
The following note, sent me by Mr. Herbert S. Daines, of Woolfall 
Hall Farm, Huy ton, Liverpool, refers to use of “ waste ” from alkali 
works, which is employed very serviceably in the same manner as gas- 
lime. The analysis of the “ waste ” from the Widnes works, which I 
was favoured with a few years ago, showed what was submitted then 
to have rather a larger proportion of the lime constituents present in 
it than in ordinary gas-lime (each, of course, being presumed to be in 
fresh condition, and therefore it required greater caution in use at 
first). After exposure to the air, and thus being altered in chemical 
condition, it was found to answer well, as noticed below, when used in 
very large quantities. Mr. Dairies’ observation draws attention, amongst 
other points, to the method of exposure of the “waste” to the air 
(i. e., oxidation) to turn it to a valuable manure. 
“ Re ‘ waste,’ for use in product similar to the Widnes article 
obtained from St. Helens: our practice is to cart it in summer, lay it 
up in a huge heap, turn it over thoroughly to oxidise it, then, in 
autumn, spread on stubble, leaving exposed for several weeks in order 
that oxidation may still further be accomplished; the result is, we 
obtain a sulphate of lime, which, as you know, is a useful manure. If 
land be very foul, the ‘ waste ’ may be applied in a crude state, but 
care must be taken in spreading, and sufficient time allowed before 
ploughing in : weight per acre, ten to twelve tons.” 
Without going into the chemical questions involved, in considera¬ 
tion of the constituents of soil adapted for Turnip land, it seems to 
me that the gas-lime acts on both the fungoid and the insect-attack by 
its acrid and poisonous qualities. 
The weevil-grub builds up its cocoon of little bits surrounding it, 
which it moistens from its mouth, and the dilute gas-lime may, 
I think, be very detrimental to it; and, in the case of the “ Slime- 
fungus,” the good which has been proved to be done appears likely to 
be caused by,—in some cases killing it downright with the gas-lime, 
which will kill much stronger vegetable organisms, and in others by 
giving food to the fungus, on which it perishes. 
With regard to amount of gas-lime that can be safely used, and the 
time of application, it should be laid on arable land when clear of crop 
in autumn or winter, and allowed to be exposed to the air for at least 
four weeks before being ploughed in. Thus, by exposure to the air, 
the nature of the lime, which at first does good by its acrid properties, 
killing what is subjected to it, is so altered that it is changed to 
sulphate of lime, a manure suitable for all land on which gypsum is of 
use, and especially serviceable to many leguminous crops and Turnips. 
The quantity mentioned by Dr. Voelcker as safe is two tons per 
acre, applied as above; but the further amount that is desirable 
depends on the strength of the gas-lime, the nature of the soil, and 
