The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-11-22
Lining the Land.

Recently there have come to us
frequent enquiries as to methods for
lining the soil and the relative value
of such treatment in comparison
with commercial fertilizers. We
consider It worth while and in sea-
son TO bring up the subject for such
of our readers as are contemplating
tho use of lime upon ground just in
preparation for next seasons wheat
crop. Lime gives the best service to
plant growth when placed on land in
which soil acidity prevails. This is
indicated most certainly by the pres
ence OF sorrel, oxalis and sometimes
by yellow dock. The existence OF
much organic matter in the soil is
conducive to the acid condition.
Lime being alkaline by nature ma
turally follows the chemical law of
neutralizing or sweetening the acid
in the land when applied in moderate
quantities. Every farmer can readily
tell whether his land needs an appli-
cation of lime by the presence of sor-
rel in his fields, and If he is not sat-
isfied with that sign he has recourse
to the blue ltmus paper test. This
test never fails.
To make the acid test for soil with
litmus paper dip small strip of the
moistened paper into the liquid.
made by stir ring a sample of the soil
in clear rain water, after the solids
have settled to the bottom. If acid
is present the paper turns red.
There Is as much dangr from the
abuse of lime on the soil as from it's
non-use. One must exercise good
judgment in its application. The
amount to be used of course must be
guage by the degree of acidity. For
land OF ordinary sourness usually
about twenty-five bushels equivalent
in weight to toni of air Stacked
lime is applied to an acre For alb
normal acidlty more than this will
be required.
One of the best and most con-
venient seasons of the year in which
! to apply lime is in the fall just be-
| fore the wheat is sown. 1t can be
hauled upon the plowed ground and
placed in small piles at convenient
distances apart, and then, if it is
quick lime, it may be allowed to lie
until it air slacks and later, scattered
and worked into the soil with a har-
row and cultivator before sowing the
wheat
In some sections of the country
farmers secure the finely ground
| quick lime in sacks and apply it with
| the fertilizer drill when sowing the
wheat. This is a very convenient
way, but the lime costs nearly 100
per cent. more than if it is scattered
| by hand.
We know"o farmers who haul
! quick lime and place it in great
heaps, and there allow it thoroughly
to air slake and afterwards scatter it
over the field. This seems an in
creased labor, but if the lime is Sc
cured before the field upon which it
is to be used is broken this is the bet
| ter way Lime may be applied to
| land at any season of the year most
convenient to the farmer. 1t may be
used as a dressing upon broken
ground or plowed under, just like or
| dinary manure.
Lime is not a fertilizer. 1t is a
substance which acts on the locked
up constituents of the soil and rem
ders them available for assimilation
by plants. Potash is one of these.
1t is said to encourage the presence
of the nitrogen bacteria found in root
nodules of legumes, such as clover,
soy beans, etc. 1t also renders the
soil more mellow and workable.
Either quick lime or air slaked
lime can be applied. The quick lime
is calcium oxide, which soon changes
to caustic lime or calcium hydroxide
by coming in contact with moisture
from the air or soil. Stacking of
lime is the changing of quick lime
to caustic lime. 1t is in the caustic
condition that lime does its best work
indiana Farmer