The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1911-07-27

of the soil bacteria living In connec-
tion with the roots of legumes, such
as the clovers. vetches, alfalfas, beans
and peas, are able to take nitrogen
from the air and change II into form
that Is available to plants. In order
for these bacteria TO accomplish the
most good the soil condition must be
favorable for their best developments,
and this condition is brought about
by the addition OF some form OF limo.
There are several forms of lime that
may be used for agricultural purposes
and the choice of the form should de-
pend upon the purpose for which it Is
to be used and also upon the price.
Burned Lime.-Burned lime is known
also as stone lime. lump lime. quick
lime and caustic lime. This form of
lime is produced from the raw lime
rock by burning. This is the most
active form of lime and may be used
at the rate of 700 to 1 900 pounds per
acre. Much larger quantities are
sometimes used, but the above amount
should be sufficient in most cases.
This form is usually obtained in large
Jumps and must be slaked before be-
ing applied 10 the soil
Hydrated Lime.-When burned lime
is treated with water il forms what is
known as hydrated lime. This form
is somewhat less caustic than burned
lime and is always in a powdery form
and may be readily applied to the soil
Seventy-four pounds of this form of
lime are equivalent to Sc pounds Of
burned lime, consequently it should
be used at the rate of about 900 TO
1900 pounds per acre.
Air Siaked lime.-When burned
lime is left to the action of the air II
takes up moisture and carbon dioxide
and gradually breaks down into a fine
powder This form of lime should be
applied in about the same quantities
as the hydrated lime.
Ground limestone.-When ground
limestone is used il should be pulver-
lied so that at least 75 per cent VIII
pass through sieve of so meshes to
the inch. The value of the ground
limestone depends quite largely upon
its fneness. This form of lime is not
caustic and II may be applied to the
soil in almost any quantity without
fear of causing harm. However, the
usual application would be $500 10
1000 pounds per acre. One hundred
pounds of ground limestone are equiv
alent to Sc pounds of burned lime or
IA pounds Of hydrated lime.
Refuse Lime From Sugar Factories.
This form of lime. when II can be
obtained dry and in powder form, is
good source of lime. II is partly
hydrated and partly csrbonated, and Is
consequently very similar to air-slaked
lime and should be used in about the
same amounts. This lime also con.
tains small amount OF nitrogen.
phosphoric acid and potash absorbed
from the beet juices.
Mari is found quite extensively
throughout the state and many of the
deposits are very pure calcium car
Donate. In n dry. powdery form mari
may be used az substitute for lime
and in the proportions recommended
for ground limestone.
The burned lime. hydrated lime and
air-slaked lime are caustic. diminish
ing In degree, however, In the order
named.
When the lime is to be applied to
heavy clay soils TO correct the phys
ioal condition, the burned lime or hy-
drafted lime are recommended, as
these forms act more rapidly than the
ground limestone. However, where
the lime is to be used for correcting
the acidity the ground limestone is
recommended. providing it can be
bought at reasonable rate II should
cost. laid down at the nearest raiircsd
station, not more than half as much