Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-08-22

know what these indirect or secondary
effects may be.
POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF LINING.
The secondary or indirect results which
will follow an application of lime must,
of course, vary with soil conditions but
the principal possible effects which are
of Importance are as follows:
First-Free acid if present is neutral.
lied. A sour soil is sweetened.
Second-Some of the less soluble pot
ash compounds of the soil are rendered
available, and the need of potash ma
uures will be lessened, at least for time.
Lining will not permanently take the
place of potash manuring, for it will be
understood that it adds no potash to the
soil. II simply makes il possible to draw
upon the stock found in the soil more
rapidly, and this, il persisted in withou,
the application of potash, will! ultimately
result in the exhaustion Of this element.
Third-Phosphatic fertilizers are often
rendered more effective. This seems to
be especially true of the less soluble ma
terials, such aa fine ground rock phos-
pilates. An application of lime appears
also TO increase the availability Of the
comparatively inert phospbates of the
soil itself.
Fourth-Organic matter decomposes
more rapidly, and the plant food it con-
tains becomes more promptly available.
This action is most important in Its rela
ton to nitrogen, and it is especially valu-
able in heavy soils, in which organic
matter naturally decays slowly. Its effect
is also often important after turning un-
der a green crop. On the other hand,
rapid decomposition of the organic mat
ter, naturally present in such soils IN
only small amount, may prove harmful
TO the lighter soils.
Fifth-AmmOnia and its compounds
change into nitric acid more quickly. In
other words, ammonia nitrogen becomes
more promptly available, as nitric acid
when combined with bases which form
nitrates is the most promptly available
nitrogen compound for most crops. Sui
phate of ammonia, when used as fer
tilizer, gives poor results in many of our
soils unless these are first heavily lined.
Sixth-Lime mellows heavy aud clayey
soils. 1t does this because it hocculstes
the clay PARTICLES, thus making the soil
more frisble and permeable. Both drain
age and capillary action are, therefore,
improved, and the soil is less likely to
become overcompact and TO form crusts
and crack. The maintenance Of good
filth is, therefore, more easy.
Seventh-A moderate application Of
lime, especially il used in connection
with green manuriug or an application
of any organic manure, will increase the
nf th ha inh
moisture.
Eighth-Heavy applications OF lime
in practically all locations in the state as
far as tested appear to be absolutely
necessary for success with alfalfa.
Niuth-The presence of lime in the
soil is highly unfsvorable to the parasitic
organisms which are the cause of certain
diseases. Most important among such
diseases are clubfoot of cabbages and
caulifiowers and tinger-and-toe of turnips
and beets. II the soil is badly infested,
lime may not prove a complete preven-
tion. but the free use of lime without
doubt decreases the tendency to these
diseases.
HOW TO DETERMINE WHAT SOILS NEED
LINING.
First-Those soils on which, when
seeded, timothy and clovers fail,
and where sorrel comes in largely
together with redtop, usually need
lining. II should be pointed out, how
ever, that the presence Of sorrel is
not a proof that lime Is needed. This
weed will flourish even in the soils which
have been heavily lined; but on such
soils the grasses and clovers are likely to
crowd 1t out, while on soils which are in
need of lime they are unable to do SO.
The presence of much moss or an abun-
dant growth of bluets (Houstonia csru
lea), horse tails (Equisetom) or polypods
(Polypodium) is an indication that lime
will probably be beneficial.
Second-When soil is sour 1t will turn
blue litmus paper placed in contact with
Ii red. To carry out the test, make about
a tablespoonful of the soil into a thin
mud with pure water, and after 1t has
stood for a short time lay piece OF blue
litmus paper on 1t and cover with the
mud. Be careful not to handle the paper
with the fingers. After about ten min
utes remove the paper, washing II, II
necessary, to show the color. III 1t has
turned red the soil Is sour, and needs an
application 81 lime. Practically all drug
gists keep litmus paper. =,
Third-The most certain evidence OF all
as to whether lime will prove beneficial
/ is afforded by simple experiment whic6 .
| may be carried out as follows: Lay on
two square rods in q part OF the field to
be tested which seems to be fairly repre-.
sentative and even in quality. To one q
these apply twenty pounds Of freshly
slaked lime. After applying, at once
work it in deeply and thoroughly. A few
days later apply to each plot liberal
quantity of either manure or fertilizer
precisely the same amount to each. Plant
table beets. IL the soil 10 much In neec
of lime, these will make q better growth
upon the lined plot.
THE RELATION OF LIME TO CROPS.
| Different plants require varying
Iamountu of lime. Some are extremel!
sensitive to and much injured by th'
presence of free acid. Others are com
parstively indifferent to the presence o
such acids, while still others appear t.
do better In soils containing them
Among plants requiring large amount
of lime in the soil are alfalfa, clovers
meas. beans and vetches. Grasses, az
rule, require less lime than clovers, bu
timothy vii, not do 80 well In soils mark
edly deficient In lime. On the other hand
rad top thrives in sour soils. Neithe
corn nor millets are especially sensitiv
TO acid. They will often do we'll o.
soils which are sour. The same
. true Of potatoes, although excessive acid
itv is undesirable for even these crops
Cabbagss and turnips and all the cultiva'
, ed members OF the same family requir
large amounts of lime. Aangelwurzei.i
sugar beets and table beets are usuail
benefited by lime, a. also are onion'
spinach and lettuce. Celery also In muc
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