The evaluation of liming materials for agricultural purposes

Experimental evidence is submitted to show that the value of a burnt lime for agricultural purposes may be seriously under-estimated by the method prescribed under the Fertiliser and Feeding Stuffs Act. Calcium silicates and magnesium oxide are able to neutralise soil acids, and the latter is also important as a source of magnesium in certain soils. Various methods of estimating the neutralising value have been examined and a simple technique, involving a short treatment with dilute acid and applicable to both carbonates and limes, has been found to give results in agreement with the effects produced on soil acidity in pot and field experiments.