The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1910-06-01
SUBSTANCES ESSENTIAL TO PLANT GROWTH
w. R. Dally.)
{ By s. w. R. Daily J.

Pill ed ch161y by the cdrDOnlC aclu as
in the air; hydrogen and oxygen,
which are supplied IN the form of wa
ter; nitrogen, phosphates, potash,
magnesia, iron, sulphur and lime,
which are found in the soil In various
proportions. All Of these elements
enter into the plant and it must fol-
low that the plant draws them from
the soil, the air, and the water. The
carbon of the air is in unlimited guam
titles, the hydrogen and oxygen are IN
unlimited quantities where there is
sufficient moisture, but the other
elements which are found in the soil
become deficient and, in the course
0f time, useless. 1t has been con-
sidered for some time that in some
sections in the United States where
the ground has become impoverished
because the plant food has been ex-
hauSted, that the ground is worthless,
but it is now being understood that
inasmuch as we can supply artltclally
the various elements that have been
exhausted that If this matter is taken
up scientifically and intelligently and
handled properly the soil will be re-
stored to Its original fertility and
made capable of producing crops
and poviding a living for the farmers.
The particular element that we are
interested In at this time is carbonate
of lime in the form of fine ground
limestone. Lime is one OF the most
impor tant elements in the soil and it
must be present in the soil to allow
of plant growth. In some soils it is
present naturally, in otner soils it is
almost entirely absent. The purpose
served by lime is complex one and
it is receiving Il great deal of study
at tie hands of professional men
who are urging tho use of it in com
bination with other fertiliZing materl-
ais. Lime is not in itself a plant
food but it is an indirect means where
by the plant is enabled to secure its
food from other plants. If a careful
study or examination is made OF the
soil from any district, it will be found
to contain a certain proportion OF
lime in common with potash, phOS-
pilates and nitrogen and the knowledge
of this proportion is OF the utmost
value to the farmer, because it he
knows just what the combination OF
his soil is, he can tell what it is defici
ent in and can add the proper ele-
ments to make up the deficiency.
The particular benefit that lime
Stoves Is Ill COuuU1nluS Will Col Colh
elements to release certain other ele-
mentS.
Nitrogen is ore of the chief plant
foods and is procured through differ
ent sources, some of them of vegetable
origin, and a process is now being de-
veloped whereby the nitrogen is eX-
tracted directly from the air. 1t must
be born in mind that the rich black
vegetable soil or river bottoms and
the like also produces various acids,
and the presence Of these acids pre-
vents the action of the micro organ
ismS which are the means through
which the plant absor bs the Mir ogen
and grows Some of the richest
ground to he found is not productive
on account of an over supply OF acid
making it impossible for the plant to
secure its food aud live. 1t is there
fore of utmost Importance that these
soils contain base which will unite
with the acids and produce a combi-
nation which will enable the micro
organisms to act and the plant Will
secure its food.
Almost invariably it is carbonate of
lime that acts in the manner desired
and while a great many soils have
some carbonate of lime in their COM
position a number of them have only
a small amount and some are nearly
or quite deficient. 1t is, therefore,
imperative that some base, preferably
a carbonate of lime, be used to sup
ply what is needing in all these sour
or acid soils.
Lime is one Of the most important