May 1. 1908 
soils contain all the elements of plang 
food in varying quantities, but however 
abundant the presence of most of these 
essential constituents; if any one of them 
be absent the soil is practically barren, 
‘and if present in insufficient quantity 
the resulting crops are unsatisfactory to 
the extent of that deficiency. Lime can- 
‘not be classed among these deficient sub- 
stances, for although it enters into the 
composition of almost all forms of vege- 
table life, its various compounds: are so 
widely and generally distributed that it 
would be a very rare circumstance for 
any sample of ordinary soil to be found 
on analysis not to contain sufficient lime 
for the requirement of any cultivated 
plant. Then it may be asked, How is 
lime a fertiliser? Anything is a true 
fertiliser which causes a plant to make 
more vigorous growth and yield better 
crop; and lime does this in a twofold 
manner--viz., chemically and mechani- 
-eally. First, as to its chemical action. 
All plant food to be available must be in 
a soluble condition, otherwise it is like 
human food under lock and key. All 
soils contain animal and vegetable matter 
in varying proportions and in various 
stages of decomposition. Now lime, in 
its caustic condition, is one of the most 
powerful agents of decomposition, and 
‘where, from defective draitage or other 
causes the land is ‘sour,’ and where 
organic matter does not readily decom- 
pose, the application of caustic lime often 
works wonders, causing these previously 
inert substances to yield an abundant 
supply of available plant food Probably 
this use of lime and its compounds some- 
times reacts with injurious mineral sub- 
stances, producing useful or harmless 
-compounds—for instance, the action of 
gypsum on carbonate of soda. The 
mechanical action of lime on hoavy clay 
lands is an important aid to fertility 
-causing the soil to become friable, and 
thereby giving free access to air and 
water, This mechanical action is shared 
by several of its compounds, such as 
gypsum. powdered chalk, pulverised shells, 
etc. The common mistakes in tho appli- 
tion of lime as a fertiliser are:—When 
its chemical action is required on sour, 
Muirden College, 
CURRIE STREET. 
TELEPHONE 1,502. 
COMMONWEALTH CLERICAL 
EXAMINATION IN JULY. 
Intending Candidates should consult the 
Prineipal (Mr. Muirden) with reference to 
‘this examination. 
SPECIAL EVENING CLASSES are 
‘boing formed, and will be conducted per- 
sonally by the Principal. ; 
Send for particulars to the College, and 
lose no time in joining one or other of the 
‘Classes if you would ensure success, 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
ATI 
boggy land, it should be spread and 
ploughed in as soon as possible after 
being slaked. It is often allowed to lie 
in heaps for weeks and months, when it 
absorbs carbonic acid from the atmos- 
phere, and becomes gradually converted 
into carbonate of lime or chalk. When 
spread and allowed to remain for some 
time before being ploughed in, the mis- 
chief is still greater. Considerable damage 
sometimes occurs from over-liming. Since 
caustic lime greatly promotes decomposi- 
tion, there is danger of bringing too large 
a proportion of plant food into available 
form, resulting in a heavy crop in tho 
ensuing season and comparative barren- 
ness for several years after, It is a 
common practice to add lime to night- 
soil and other animal manures, Caustic 
lime sets free the ammonia, thus depriv- 
ing the manures of one of its most 
valuable constituents. 
Stable Manure. 
SHoutp Ir Be Usep Frese or Wett- 
ROTTED ? 
When manure is heated and becomes 
well-rotted before it is applied to the 
soil, the elements of plant food are in a 
more immediately available form, and 
can be made use of more readily by the 
growing crop, A certain amount of de 
composition must take place before the 
elements in the manure are in a form 
that they can be made use of by the 
plants. The process of decomposition 
goes on much more rapidly if the manure 
is piled than if taken to the field green, 
consequently if a readily available manure 
is required it might be better to allow it 
to rot before applying. This practice is 
followed with advantage on truck or 
garden farms, where a quick-acting 
manure is required, and can be applied 
each year; but for general farm condi- 
tions we would not recommend it. When 
manure is allowed to accumulate and 
heat, there is a very heavy loss of nitrogen, 
the most valuable fertilising element. If 
exposed to rain, serious loss results from 
leaching; and through the escape of 
ammonia in the air, and the loss of 
nitrates in drainage water, one-half or 
more of the original fertilising value of 
the manure is sometimes lost. If it is 
desired to store manure, the best way is 
to keep it under as ed where it will be 
sheltered from rain, and where it will be 
well tramped by stock. 
By this means leaching will be pre- 
vented and the heating process retarded 
as much as possible, but still the loss will 
be considerable. If, on the other hand, 
the manure is taken to the field green 
and spread over the land, the process of 
decomposition is arrested, and any leaching 
that may take place will merely carry the 
fertilising elements into the soil where 
they are wanted. While manure applied 
in this way is not so readily available, its 
I3 
$$ 
influence extends over a much longer 
period, and this in general farm practice 
is an important consideration. 
_ One argument that is often advanced 
in favor of well-rotted manure is that the 
heat generated in fermentation will de- 
stroy any weed seeds that may be present. 
It is true that some of the weaker weed 
seeds may succumb during the process of 
fermentation in the manure; but it has 
not been shown that any very large pro- 
portion of weed seeds is destroyed in this 
way. i 
For sandy or gravelly soils, well-rotted 
manure is usually to be preferred, as the 
application of coarse green manure is 
likely to leave the soil too loose and open, 
and therefore too subject to drought,— 
‘N.Z. Farmers’ Weekly.’ 
How to Enricu A Poor Farm.---lf a 
poor farm is taken in hand by an ener- 
getic man who is up to date in his know- 
ledge and practice, it can generally be 
transformed in a few years into a satis- 
factory property. The growth of a good 
green crop by the help of liberal dressings 
of phosphatic fertilisers is the first step, 
and afterwards the ploughing under of 
the green stuff. When the soil is pro- 
vided with the humus and nitrogen of 
the green crop, it will begin to improve, 
and soon pass from the condition of an 
invalid into a farm of robust condition. 
F. W. PREECE, 
For 20 years with Messrs. E. .. 
og & Son, 
Bookseller and Stationer. 
BOOKS for FARMERS & GARDENERS. 
Tue Ferrinizy oF tHE Lanp, dth ed., 
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WORKS BY L. H. BAILEY. 
Principles of Vegetable Gardening, doth 
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