Lewisburg chronicle, and West Branch farmer. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1850, 1850-03-06
THE FARMER.
For the Lc,Dis6urg Chronicle.
Lime and Plaster.

the propriety of applying lime and plaster
at the same time to the same soil. As
this is a question, the correct decision of
which must depend more upon actual ex-
pertinent and close observation than upon
theories, however plausible they may ap-
pear, will give you several experiments,
(made by my father and myself with
their results which, if you think proper,
you may publish for the consideration Of
your Fountain Hill friend, as well as
others who may be interested in its correct
determination. The first experiment hav-
ing bearing upon the question, was made
upon corn, in ls4l. We had not then
commenced lining our corn ground, con-
sequently We used plaster in the usual
manner upon our corn.
1t so happened that the plaster was ex-
hausted before the field was finished, and
not caring to purchase any more for the
remainder of the field, (perhaps half an
acre, we concluded to try the effect Of air
Stacked lime, applied to the corn in the
same manner as plaster, but about twice
the quantity to each hill. We carefully
watched the progress of the experiment,
till the maturity Of the crop, and at no
time could We perceive the slightest diffe-
renee either in the appearance Of the
growing crop or in the product when gath
cred in the fall, upon the different portions
Of the field; thus proving that the lime
was as effcacious as the plaster. In 1842
we repeated the experiment with slight
variation, also upon field which had not
been lined. In this instance the whole
field, excepting six rows, were plastered,
three of these were lined, as before, and
the remaining three had nothing applied
them. The result with respect to the lime
and plaster was similar to the first expert
ment, but the corn in the rows to which
neither lime nor plaster was applied, soon
exhibited symptoms Of decline; the color
became sickly yellow, and so inferior in
general appearance that the difference was
perceptible at considerable distance. At
this stage Of the experiment plaster was
literally applied to the corn in these rows ;
soon after which it began to assume a
healthy, lu1uriant appearance, and in the
fall there was little if any difference in the
comparative product.
These experiments convinced us of the
beneficial effect of lime upon corn, and in
1e43 We commenced lining our fields for
that crop-and in order to test still further
the propriety of using both lime and plas
ter, we plastered one half Of the field and
lef. the other half without any. In this
ease no difference was perceptible at any
time during the season.
Finding, by the result Of these expert
ments, that we derived little, if any. ben
enr Whatever from the application of lime
and plaster at the same time, We were in
elined to abandon its use, both upon corn
and clover r.. -------.~ =, --,e---
nave beneficial effect upon soils that had
been lined some time previously, We
sowed plaster at the rate of two bushels per
acre on portion of clover field to which
lime at the rate Of fifty bushels per acre
had been applied two years before. For
some time we could see no difference in
favor of the plaster, but in the course Of
some weeks, the clover where the plaster
was sown assumed deeper green, but in
other respects We could not discover any
benefit from its use.
In ls4s, we applied plaster to several
rows Of corn which had been lined in
1912. The result was the same as in
the third experiment, in which both were
applied the same spring.
Satisfied by the result of these experi-
ments that the use Of lime and plaster
together, or Of plaster upon IAN! that has
been recently lined, is a useless expendi-
ture of money, time and labor, all of which
are of vital importance to the success Of
the farmer, we have, for the present, aban-
doned the use Of plaster, upon our lands.
We still intend to continue our experiments
in order to ascertain if plaster will again
resume its efficiency, Or whether its good
effects will continue to be neutralized BY
the application Of lime to the soil. do
not pretend to say that the same result
will take place upon all kinds of soils.
This is a question which every farmer
should consider it his interest to determine
for himself; and / hope many Of our farm
ers will not only do this, but give US the
result Of their experiments in your valua-
BILE journal, and thus render ii still more
interesting to the practical agriculturist.
Yours, j. NJ N.
F~ the LeUisGuyg Chronicle.
Plant Fvuif Treeai