Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-11-29
PART II.

BAkI
Next 20 drainage in Importance comes
a neutral or sweet condition OF the soli
as compared with the acid condition so
frequently met with II makes little
difference whether one owns limestone
sold or not The tendency OF cultiva-
ton is to reduce the amount OF lime
through teaching and through its re-
moval from the soil by crops. Even
the soils derived from the richest lime
stone formations have frequently been
found TO respond 10 applications of lime,
and on examination have been shown
TO be distinctly acid. What, therefore,
must be the condition on millions OF
acres OF land which contained compare
lively little lime at any period of their
formation Certain IL is that such soils
are deficient in what much be regarded
as a constituent necessary to the per-
feet growth and development OF crops
Moreover, in the absence OF this con-
stituent an acid condition develops
which has the same effect on crop
growing as an acid condition OF the
stomach would exert on the human be
ing. In the one case the person afflict-
ed would be i'll: in the other case, the
soil conditions are unfriendly to plant
growth and the plants fail 10 thrive as
they should This condition of acidity
prevents the activity Of desirable forms
OF bacteria. retards fermentation and
the setting free Of plant food which may
be sbundantly stored in the soil. There
Is only one way 10 correct this perma-
rent defect in the land and that is
through the intelligent use OF lime.
There is much discussion as to the
form in which lime should be applied
and the amount TO use. These are the
matter depending, OF course, on the dis
lance from the supply of lime and the
character OF crop and soil to be dealt
with. An ideal application would be at
least one ton OF fresh burned lime fine
~ ground so as TO make its application
easy. Lacking this, two tons of very
finely ground limestone rock may be
used in place OF it. 1t is probable that
two tons of limestone rock can be pur-
chased and applied at about the same
cost as a ton Of caustic lime There is
another form of lime on the marker
called new process lime. which has been
siaked by steam. and. therefore, has Its
weight greatly increased without the
addition OF any ability 10 correct acidi-
~. One ton OF lime OF this character
certainly cannot correct as much soil
acidity as a ton Of pulveriZed lime This
new process lime. however, can be cas-
ily handled and applied, and has ma
terial advantage in this respect
An objection to lining is urged be
cause OF its cost, but IL is nothing ike
as costly to lime the soil and put IL in
proper physical condition and establish
a friendly relation with plants as TO
try and grow crops on It as II now eX-
lists 1t is certain that large and prof
liable crops will never be raised where
the land is acid 1t is equally certain
that this condition can only be correct
ed by lining 1t is a question, there
fore. OF reducing the acreage and put
ting il in proper condition through the
use OF lime to make IL permanently fer
tile. Lining. OF course. need not be
practiced more than once in three 10
five years. and in case OF Inability to use
the amount suggested, il is better TO
use 500 or 1000 pounds than no lime
nj all The. condition existing in many