The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-02-19

' ~
TELEGRAPH gives his views on lime as
follows:
Different farmers would give very
different 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 p!owed, 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
which must influence us in deciding the
proper time for the application of lime:
LIST, that it takes a certain length of time
to produce its effect upon Tie soil; ID,
it drives the ammonia from BARNARD
manure whenever it comes in contact
with it; Cd, its action hastcns the de-
composition of vegetable matter which
the soil may contain.
TO decide the first case, the farmer
must satisfy himself as to what particu-
lar crop he wishes to benefit bv the ap-
plication of lime. If he wishes the
corn to have the benefit, then he should
apply it at least one year before the
corn is planted. If the grass is to
receive the benefit, thea he must apply
it before the grass comes to its peafcc-
tion; 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 Dor
ton of the barnyard manure. The
third proposition should also have its
hearing upon the farmers decision.
Let US examine into the effect produced
by coat Of lime applied to the sod Il
year or six months before it is broken
up for corn. This plan has its advan-
tagcs, 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 its
decomposition, and causing it to be fit
ted for feeding the ensuing corn crop.
ltmay be done either in the spring or fall
before the field is plowcd, thus coming
at leisure time.
This plan also has its disadvantages
The lime being applied to the sod, is
turned under to the bottom of the fur
row; most farmers plow deeper for corn
than for oats, and consequently the lime
is seldom brought to the surface. when
blowing for oats; and during the time
the oat crop is coming to perfection,
the lime, on account of its specific gray
itv, is sinking into the soil deeper and
deeper. Then where blowing twice for
wheat is practiccd Gas it ought always
to bc,) the blowing is done deeply, the
lime is brought to the surface, the ma
nure is applied, and they come in con-
tact, producing great loss, as set forth
in proposition third.
Lime, to produce its proper effect,
must be retained where the air has
access to it, or near the surface Of the
soil; its specific gravity being much
greater than that of common soil, it
gradually sinks through the latter and
very often out of reach of the plow.-
Hence the benefit derived from subsoil-
ing.
Let US now investigate the plan of
applying it to the wheat stubbIe for the
benefit Of the ensuing crops of grass
The main disadvantage following this
plan is that the corn receives no benefit
from the lime, and the soil at the time
the corn is growing contains more I'M
decomposed vegetable matter than at
any other time.
do not like the application of lime
to the corn crop, because ! consider
that it has tendency to keep the oats
green and to make the straw stiff and
harsh, more like wheat straw, and |
have always found that cattle do not
relish it as well Whether this oblcc-
ton will overbaIance the advantages
enumerated leave for others to Judge.
There is third plan which | think
obviates the disadvantages of both svs-
TENS. Let the Manure instead of being
applied to the wheat, be spread on the
sod and plowed down deep for corn
When blowing for oats, pillow one-half
as deep, say six inches, and avoid bring
ing the manure to the surface; it being
thus buried and deprived of the influence
of the atmosphere will decompose but
little. In blowing for wheat, plow deep
TWICE, and this will thoroughly mix the
manure with the soil
Or, if you prefer it, give the corn a
moderate coat of manure and treat as
before, and in the fall give the wheat
what was left in the yard (under shell
ter) and that which was collected and
made during the summer
The advantage of this plan may be
thus set forth The manure is hauled
out early in the spring while there s
leisure, and before the teams are tagged
out with their summers work. SO long
as the weather is cold the manure will