The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1910-06-01


this study is when it is remembered
that the land OF England and the
continent of Europe has been cultivat-
ed for hundreds of years and is today
producing heavily, simply because 1T
has been properly treated.
A little reading will show anyone
taking the trouble to investigate that
the use of lime is urged continually.
If, theI efore. it pays the agricultur-
lists and farmers i'll England and
Europe and all the eastern states to
study correct fertilizIng and to keep
the ground thoroughly we'll lined, is
it not equally necessary and important
for the farmers in the Northwest part
of the United States, where the condl-
lions are almost identically the same,
to make use of the same means to
increase the crops and improve the
earnings OF the farmers?
Ii bv the addition of a few hun
dred pounds of fine ground limestone
to the fields either in the fail or
spring, the ground can easily be made
sweet and the growth of plants stimu-
IL ted and increased, it is surely worth
while to give 1T consideration.
We favor fine ground limestone as
the best shape in which to apply car
Donate of lime for several reasons,
among them: the fine ground lime
stone will work more gradually and
more evenly through the soil than
air Stacked line, or cauStic lime. Ii
caustic lime is used it has tendency
to produce more or less mortar in the
ground, which is not satisfactory !;
and air Stacked lime, while it will
not produce motar to the same eX
tent, will fol- m masses of putty III the
ground, making it more or less un-
satisfactory to handle. Fine ground
limestone on the other hand is pure
lime rock reduced to a powder, and
should produce the desired results
more effectively and more economic
ally than any other form of lime.
The expense of lining your ground
is little, the benefit if the lime is
properly used is very great.
Another side of lime AS applied tC
soils, is the physical side. 1t is as
necessary for plant to breathe as it
is for it to absorb food, and when we
examine some of the clayey soils III
western Washington We find soil so
compact, heavy and cold that it is not
good for plant growth. The air can
not penetrate the soil and the plant
cannot develop but If the proper
amount of lime is added to this soil
it will have the effect of breaking it
up and making it friable SO as to ad-
nit the air and make 1T suitable for
plant growth. In the same way, if it
is sandy and light SO that it does not
hold moisture, the addition of lime
ill tend to draw the soil closer to-
gether and make it more compact
and better suited to hold the moisture
and food for the plant.
In report from one Of the la bra
tories in England, the statement is
made that ground limestone, or in it's
place slaked lime should be used an
nually to the extent of three to five
hundred pounds per acre from four to
six weeks before the manure is ap.
piled, and this application naturally
increases the benefit derivable from
all of the other high grade manures
and the benefit have been so cOnspic-
uous that the producers of ground
lime are at present unble to meet the
requirements, the demand being SO
great and constant.
The material have to offer is made
of the highest grade limestone. 1t is
crushed fine and samples will be sent
without charge to anyone making a
request for same. We feel that with
all the sour land west of the Cascade
mountains benefit that will be of
great value to the farmers and grow
ers will result if they regularly use
fine ground limestone ON their soils.
The development of this country
rests largely with the farmers, they