80

Per centage Composition of Baltimore Gas House Lime.

Hydrate of Lime, (water-slacked lime,).................. 41.17

Hydrate of Magnesia......................................... 1.02

Carbonate of Lime, (air-slacked lime,).................... 28.48

Hydrated Sulphate of Lime, (plaster of Paris,)......... 4.93

Hydrosulphate of sulphuret of calcium..................... 3.79

Hydrosulphate of sulphuret of Iron....................... 4.67

containing of sulphureted hydrogen 5.03.

Phosphate of Lime, (bone-earth,)......................... 0.26

Sand........................................................... 2.94

Water........................................................... 12.74

100.

By reference to my first Report to the House of Delegates of
Maryland, you will perceive that I then published the result of
several examinations of this lime, and recommended its use under
certain conditions. Since then I have carefully watched its ef-
fects and collected all the facts attending its application, and am
confirmed in the belief, that not only is this lime free from injuri-
ous effects, when properly used, but that on certain soils it is pre-
ferable to every other variety of lime. It can be properly used
wherever oyster shell lime or stone lime, free from magnesia, is
indicated.

The mode in which this lime should be applied, depends on
the peculiar properties resulting from its composition, which is
constantly changing on account of the presence of the hydrosul-
phates of lime and iron in it. These substances cannot long ex-
ist under the influence of atmospheric air, and are finally con-
verted into lime (plaster of Paris) and peroxyd of iron. The
quantity of sulphate of lime which is contained in this article, in-
dicates to what extent this process of decomposition has already
advanced, and which, of course, will be quickened when the
lime is scattered and exposed to the full influence of the atmos-
phere. Besides these substances, we meet with a large per cent-
age of water-slacked lime, which also undergoes a change under
the influence of the atmosphere, being converted into air-slacked
lime. 100 parts of this lime will therefore eventually become
converted into 72.87 parts of air-slacked lime, and 30.13 parts
of plaster of Paris; the other substances as given in the analysis
remain unchanged.

Mode of Application.—This lime should therefore be applied
to the surface in the fall, suffered to remain there, and then turned
in in the spring, for any summer crop; or it may be applied on
the surface in the spring, and turned in in the fall, for a wheat or
any other winter crop. In this way no possible damage could
happen from its use; on the contrary, reliable gentlemen have in-