USE OF LIME

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 584, 9 February 1929, Page 30

USE OF LIME

Lime in the Garden.—ln gardens that for some years have had heavy annual dressings of farmyard manure the soil is almost certain to have become “sour,” a very unsatisfactory condition for crops. To counteract or correct this, there is nothing to equal fresh lime, either in the form of “shells” as used by the builders, or in a powdered state, known as “ground” lime. When and How to Apply Lime.— It is often wrongly advised to “spread lime on the surface and then dig in.” This is wasteful, as lime has a natural tendency to work downwards. If it is dug in even 9in deep, therefore, much of its virtue will be lost, the rich, upper layer of soil receiving no benefit at all. Dig or trench the ground in autumn or winter, then in early spring apply the lime and fork it in lightly. "w Much Lime To Use—lt is not easy to say just the proper quantity to use, as soils vary so considerably. On very light ground two tons, or even less, an acre, would be sufficient, while very clayey, retentive land might have four to five tons an acre. Generally speaking, therefore, a dressing at the rate of three tons an acre will be about right for ordinary garden soils.

SUCCESSFUL ORCHARDIST For many years the growing of fruit in the Central King Country was regarded as impossible, that is from a commercial viewpoint, but Mr. Harvey Allen, of Taringamotu, near Taumarunui, has proved during the past few years that apples and other fruit of the choicest quality cau b.e raised in the district, and finds a ready market. Mr. Allen's orchard, expanded from small beginnings, now covers many acres, and is still growing. Very large crops of apples are taken annually, and the grower finds a market from Palmerston North to Auckland.