LIME.
What effect has lime on muck?
On what does the energy of this effect depend?
Why should a compost of muck and lime be protected from rain?
Muck may be decomposed by the aid of other materials. Lime is very efficient, though not as much so as when combined with salt. The action of lime, when applied to the muck, depends very much on its condition. Air-slaked lime (carbonate of lime), and hydrate of lime, slaked with water, have but a limited effect compared with lime freshly burned and applied in a caustic (or pure) form. When so used, however, the compost should not be exposed to rains, as this would have a tendency to make mortar which would harden it.
POTASH.
Is potash valuable for this use?
From what sources may potash be obtained?
In what proportion should ashes be applied to muck? Sparlings?
Potash is a very active agent in decomposing vegetable matter, and may be used with great advantage, especially where an analysis of the soil which is to be manured shows a deficiency of potash.