October 28. 1905 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
831 
And its Uses- 
In The Garden. 
The natural formation.of a large area of our 
coasted country is of the carbonate or more 
commonly known as the limestone composi¬ 
tion, from which is derived, after the process 
of burning, the lime of commerce ; but the 
lighter, sandy, and more inland parts of the 
country, as well as the heavier clay lands, are 
not so favoured in this direction, and in many 
instances artificial applications have to be 
resorted to in order to supply the want. 
As an assistant to plant food lime, is, with¬ 
out doubt, most invaluable, and more especi¬ 
ally in the garden, both for indoor and for 
outdoor cultures. Its real worth is its physi¬ 
cal effects on the soil, and its aid in.the opera¬ 
tion of nitrification of organic matter into 
nitrate of lime, one of the most quickly acting 
of our plant foods. 
On the first application of lime it binds the 
particles forming sandy soils closer together, 
and the more solid surface thus formed pre¬ 
vents undue evaporation of the moisture—a 
most essential element in sandy soils and 
the water is accordingly retained in the 
ground. 
On the other hand, stiff clay lands are made 
more porous, and a free passage is allowed 
for water and air, whereby the soil is made 
wanner, and more easy of cultivation. 
Lime also hastens the decay of vegetable 
matter, and sweetens sour wet lands and old 
kitchen gardens, whose soils have become 
black in colour and acid from an excess of 
organic matter. Lime increases the capillary 
condition of soils, prevents fungoid diseases, 
promotes the growth of more nutritive her¬ 
bage on pasture lands, destroys moss on 
lawns, and greatly assists in the proper forma¬ 
tion of stones in fruit, such as Plums, 
Cherries, Peaches, Apricots, Nectarines, etc. 
When there is a deficiency of lime in soils, 
stone-fruits are very rarely properly de¬ 
veloped, potash is not taken up, and the 
carbo-hydrate—sugar—is not formed, so the 
fruit remains sour. Grapes are particularly 
susceptible to the influence of lime, so are 
Tomatos, Beans, and Peas. 
Lime is known to decompose the minerals 
that are present in the soil, especially potash, 
as well as other food constituents, rendering 
them available for the needs of the growing 
plants ; further, it decomposes organic matter 
(humus), and promotes the important process 
which is so much in evidence at the present 
day, namely nitrification, which is brought 
about through the agency of micro-organisms 
in the soil. 
To sum up the matter, lime may be said to 
have a mechanical, chemical, and biological 
action, and the importance of a systematic 
application 'of this invaluable fertiliser to 
soils which are in need of it should be 
apparent to all gardeners. It is better to 
apply lime iii small quantities at frequent 
intervals rather than large dressings given all 
at once. Half a. pound to a square yard of 
surface would be an ample dressing. It may be 
either dug into the soil, lightly raked in, or 
mixed with the compost in making: up bor¬ 
ders, etc. J. J. Willis. 
Harpenden. 
——— 
Mr. Wato, now a gardener at Chislehnrst, 
was Livingstone’s “ boy,” and accompanied 
the great explorer during his famous expedi¬ 
tion in Central Africa. 
THIRD PRIZE ESS A Y 
What to do with it 
in the production 
7JT - of flowers, fruit 
and vegetable . 
The sketoh gives a rough idea of the plan 
I should follow in laying out. a garden of the 
approximate area of 3,000 square feet. One 
part is surrounded by a wall to form the 
kitchen garden. On the wall which faces 
south-west Apricots, Pears, anrl Cherries 
would find a suitable home, while in front of 
them Tomatos could be trained on trellis work 
without shading the fruit trees. If space 
allowed, a few standard and dwarf fruits 
would find a place, while part would be de¬ 
voted to Currants, Raspberries, Gooseberries, 
and Strawberries. All the most useful vege¬ 
tables would be grown in proportion to re¬ 
quirements or space, including one or two 
that are not so common as they should be, 
such as Spinach, Salsafy. etc. ; also a few 
herbs. The needs of an ordinary family 
should be supplied fiom a garden of this kind, 
be placed, forming a delightful place of rest 
in sultry weather. Space should be found for 
a few choice Roses, standard and dwarf ; and, 
as in the kitchen garden, an arch or two, 
with Clematis, climbing Roses, etc., should 
be arranged. On the walls of the house I 
should train Clematis, such as Jackmanii, 
Beauty of Worcester, and montana, Ampelop- 
sis Veitchii, and Cotoneaster, or other 
climber as space allowed, and, if possible, a 
Marechal Niel Rose. There might be some 
difficulty in finding room for such a variety 
of good things in a garden of this size, but by 
judicious selection and arrangement wonders 
could be achieved, care being taken not to 
spoil effect or hinder development by over¬ 
crowding. Here could be found healthy re¬ 
creation and endless delight, its loveliness 
increasing with time and ripened experience, 
while if fruit were abundant it would be pos¬ 
sible at times to find an outlet for the super¬ 
fluity, thus bringing some return for expenses 
incurred. The corners would be filled accord¬ 
ing to position, amount of sun, etc., while 
borders of Beet, Parsley, herbs, etc., would 
give an aspect of beauty as well as utility to 
our garden. 
There might be found room for a few hives, 
which would yield pleasure in studying the 
ways of these clever hymenoptera and profit 
from the results of their skill. An arch 
would be made here and there, over which I 
would train Clematis, such as C. Flammula, 
C. montana, etc., to add fresh beauty to the 
general effect. 
Now turning to the flower garden. At the 
bottom I would plant a Myrobella fence, 
which in a few years would be almost impene¬ 
trable and form an excellent screen. Next, if 
possible, would come shrubs or Conifers, or 
both, forming a fine background for the herba¬ 
ceous plants, etc. The plan shows the posi¬ 
tion of these, with a lawn between them and 
the house. Here could be planted a Weeping 
Ash, beneath the shade of which a seat should 
ever yielding fresh treasures and inspiration, 
and bringing forth, we trust, gratitude to Him 
who can give us such a miniature Eden. 
“ The beauty of the Lily, the fragrance of 
the Rose, 
The grace of simple Daisy and every flower 
that blows, 
All speak the loving kindness, the thoughtful, 
tender care, 
Of Him who for His children hath made them 
all so fair.” 
Expenses. 
First Ycnr. 
Ann 
nal. 
£ 
s. 
d. 
£ 
s. 
cl. 
Seeds 
i 
10 
0 
Seeds - - 
1 
0 
0 
Trees, Bushes Ac. 
3 
0 
0 
Fertilisers 
0 
10 
0 
Roses and 
1 Replacing: 
0 
10 
0 
Climbers - 
1 
5 
0 
1 Extras 
- 0 
10 
0 
Fertilisers, Ac. 
0 
15 
0 
6 
10 
0 
2 
10 
0 
We might have to add something for utensils, 
labour, etc. 
C. D. Alois, 
Norwich. 
