Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-11-02
House, Farm and Garden.
L. d. r. COLLINS, Editor.
When should Lime be Applied

When should Lime be Applied?
Different farmers would give very differ
ent answers to the above question. Some
apply it just before they break up for corn
and pillow it under for the corn crop; some
spread it on the corn ground after it is
plowed, and harrow it in before the corn is
planted ; and others apply it to the grass
after the wheat crop is taken off.
There are three established facts that
must influence US in deciding the proper
time for the application of lime: LIST, that
it takes certain length of time to produce
its effects upon the soil I'd, it drives the
ammonia from barnyard manure whenever
it comes in contact with it; 3d. its action
hastens the decomposition of vegetable
matter which the soil may contain.
To decide the first case, the farmer must
satisfy himself as to what particular crop
he wishes to benefit by the application of
lime. If he wishes the corn to have the
benefit, he should apply it at least one
year before the corn is planted If the
grass is to receive the benefit, then he must
apply it before the grass comes to its per-
fiction; but in applying it with this view,
reference must be had to the second item,
| with regard TO its effect on the ammonia,
by far the most valuable portion of the
barnyard manure. The third proposition
| should also have its bearing upon the far
mers descisiOn.
| Let us examine into the effect produced
| by coat OF lime applied to the sod year
or six months before it is broken up for
corn. This plan has its advantages, which
may thus be enumerated: being applied
| for this length of time previous to blowing,
it is, when the sod is turned, just ready to
assist in decomposition, and causing it to
be fitted for feeding the ensuing corn crop.
1t may be done either the spring or fall
before the field is plowed thus coming at
leisure time
This plan also has its disadvantages
The lime being applied to the sod, IS turn
ed under to the bottom of the fIlrrow
most farmers pillow deeper for corn than foI
oats and during the time the oat crop i
coming to perfection, the lime, on account
of its specific gravity, is sinking into th'
soil deeper and deeper Then, where pillow
ing twice for wheat is practiced,-as i
ought always to be,-the blowing is don,
deeply, the lime is brought to the surface
the manure is applied, and they come il
contact, producing great loss, as set fortl
in proposition third.
Lime, 10 produce its proper effect, mus
be retained where the air has access to il
or near the surface of the soil; its specih
gravity being much greater than that O
common soil, it gradually sinks throug
the latter, and very often out of the reac
of the p!ow. Hence the benefit derive
: from subsoihng.
Let US now investigate the plan Of apply
ing it u the wheat stubblc for the benef
of the ensuing crops Of grass. The mai
disadvantage in following this plan, is tn;
:, the com receives no benefit from the linn
and the soil at the time the corn is CROWN
contains more undecomposed vegetabl
matter than at any other time.
/ l do not like the application of lime t
/ the com crop, because l consider that
; has a tendency to keep the oats green an
to make the straw stiff and harsh, MOI
like wheat straw, and have always foun
that cattle do not relish it as well. Whetl
e er this objection will overbalancc the a,
r. yantages enumerated | leave for Others
{ judge.
There is d third plan which I think ohy
II ates the disadvantages of both system
d Let the manure, inst Fad of being apple
to the wheat, be spread on the sod al
Y plowed down deep for corn. When plo'
It ing for cats, pillow one-half as deep, say 5
inches, and avoid bringing the manure
e the surface it being thus buried and d
" prived of the influence of the atmosphe
e will decompose but little. In blowing
wheat, pillow deep twice, and this will tho
e oughly mix the manure with the soil.
l. Or, if YOU prefer it, give the corn mo
crate coat of manure, and treat as beto1
lie and in the fall give the wheat what W
ID left in the yard-under shelter-and II
which was collected and made during t
summer.
The advantage of this plan may be tn
w set forth. The manure Is hauled out cal
le in the spring while there is leisure, and
fore the teams are tagged out with tn
* summers work. SO long rs the weather
to cold the manure will not suffer from /
m exposure, but some think it improves.
n is plowed in, and you thereby save I
trouble of putting it under sheIter-whi
er | take it for granted you dO--and also t
n loss, which, even with the very best ca
must take place during the summer. I
a corn does not take any more Of the 81
ar stance of the manure than would otherw
a. have evaporated during the summer.
lv BY the time the ground is ready
Is, wheat, the manure is decomposed and tn
nd oughly mixed with the soil.
Between the two plowings of wheat
ply lime il you choose, but prefer to
ply it to the wheat stubble in the fall al
Nv the wheat is taken off, and pasture the n
"a year, and NOW the ensuing one, when
,rt lime will have its full effect upon the gr!
,.t l throw out these ideas that all Il
nd think the matter over and see if they
". pursuing the best course, and if not, adj
he better one, as has been the case with ]
If Cor Germantown Telegraph.
in Family Recipes.