Hence we see that lime should be burned, and not slaked, before being transported, as it would be unprofitable to transport the large quantity of carbonic acid and water contained in carbonate of lime and slaked lime. The quick-lime may be slaked, and carbonated after reaching its destination, either before or after being applied to the land.
What is the best form for immediate action on the inorganic matter in the soil?
For most other purposes?
As has been before stated, much is gained by slaking lime with salt water, thus imitating the lime and salt mixture. Indeed in many cases, it will be found profitable to use all lime in this way. Where a direct action on the inorganic matters contained in the soil is desired, it may be well to apply the lime directly in the form of quick-lime; but, where the decomposition of the vegetable and animal constituents of the soil is desired, the correction of sourness, or the supplying of lime to the crop, the mixture with salt would be advisable.
The amount of lime required by plants is, as was before observed, usually small compared with the whole amount contained in the soil; still it is not unimportant.
| OF LIME. | ||||||
| 25 | bus. of | wheat contain | about | 13 | lbs. | |
| 25 | " | barley | " | 10½ | " | |
| 25 | " | oats | " | 11 | " | |
| 2 | tons of | turnips | " | 12 | " | |
| 2 | " | potatoes | " | 5 | " | |
| 2 | " | red clover | " | 77 | " | |
| 2 | " | rye grass | " | 30 | " | [AH] |
What is the best guide concerning the quantity of lime to be applied?
What is said of the sinking of lime in the soil?
What is plaster of Paris composed of?