LIMING LAND

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 214, 24 August 1927, Page 8

LIMING LAND

Many soils can be greatly improved by additions of lime in some suitable form or other; and in districts where the rainfall is heavy, the land is particularly likely to be’deficient in lime, since this element is gradually leached away by water passing through it, while it is, of course, used up by all agricultural crops. The use of some fertilisers, such as sulphate of ammonia, also tends to increase this loss, while additions of bonemeal or basic slag help to increase the ’.iuie content. ,

Soils deficient in lime are apt to become sour or acid; and many of the disadvantages of damp lands can be eliminated by liberal liming to correct sourness. Generally speaking all clayey and heavy soils which do not naturally contain much lime will bonelit materially by liming, will also sands and loam that contain little lime. Where wells are used, the Yiature of the water is a good indication of the amount of lime in the land. When the water is found to be hard, lime is fairly abundant, but it is probably deficient where the well-water is soft. Another indication of plenty of lime is the free and luxuriant growth of .the leguminous crops, such as clover and lucerne; and in land deficient in lime sorrel and docks will be found to thrive. It should be borne in mind that lime is not a direct fertiliser, butjhat it is valuable merely for its liming effect.

When applied to clay land, lime has the effect of making it less sticky and more easy to work, so that the drainage is also better. On almost all lands liming is profitable. On sandy soils lime tends to increase the waterholding capacity of the ground. On all lands it helps to sweeten the sold by neutralising the acidity and remedying the harmful conditions caused by the presence of the acids. Liming can be done at any time of the year, excepting that caustic or quicklime should not be used -when the land is growing any tender crop. It is best applied after ploughing, so that it can be well harrowed into the surface of the ground. If used for pastures it should be put on them during the winter, when the rate of growth is least. Formerly it was the custom to apply large quantities of lime at long intervals; but it is better to make smaller and more frequent applications. These are more economical ‘in every way. For any ordinary land about five cwt.of lime per acre applied every two or three years will prob-

ably be found ample, unless the addition is made to improve the actual texture of a heavy soil, when much heavier applications may be needed. For sandy lands one ur other of the carbonate forms of lime is to be preferred; and on heavy land caustic is to bo preferred; and on heavy land caustic or quicklime will give quicker and more satisfactory results.