Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-03-24
RrfRNr LIME rs. GUANO.

E
]. p. b.. .Cornelia, Ga, writes: Burnt
stone lime Has done so finely for many
OF our farmers that they are going to
USE it instead of guano, Perhaps the gu
ano was not used to the best advantage
with veget table matter. Stable manure is
out Of the question. How is the best way
to use lime on cotton land both with and
without fertilizer to be used in the drill
row. as we can hardly eft enough for broad
casting? We think of putting some lime
on corn stalks in deep burrows to be
listed on. What Is the best way to
put in Canada field peas and Burt oats
for forage? Can we raise peas to eat
during the winter from Canada field
peas?
1t will never do to undertake to sub
stitute lime for fertilizer. Lime of itself
is a compound of calcium and oxygen,
and is of indirect benefit to plants. In
other words. ii corrects undesirable con-
ditions in the soil and makes 1t possible
for the plant to secure certain forms
of food which may not have been pres
ent in available form before its applica-
ton. There may be so little calcium in
the soil possibly that some of II Is nee
essary to the wellbeing of the plant
When caustic lime is applied to the land
it tends to burn up the vegetable mat
ter; also to set free potash and some
phosphorus as well. On this account one
often observes splendid results from an
application of lime the first year or for
several years possibly, but its extensive
use would tend to exhaust the SOIL and
is therefore inadvisable. The best form
in which TO apply lime is the finely
ground rock. This does not act on the
vegetable matter, but gives the same
effect as the caustic lime in the long
run. The finely ground rock should be
applied at the rate of about two tons
per acre, and should be broadcasted on
the surface of the ground, and is pre-
ferably applied in the fall of the year
1t should be put on several months be-
fore any fertilizer is applied. The course
of lime is always downward, and If ap-
piled underneath the drill row. the
chances are that it will sink into the
soil before 1t accomplishes the real serv-
ice for which it is used. Most of our
lands are quite deficient i'm lime They
are also acid in many instances, and
plants can not thrive well in an acid
soil. 1t is on the same principle as a
man trying to be normal with an acid
stomach. We must correct this defect be-
fore we can hope for the best results.
Lime should not be applied oftener than
once In three to five years. OF course,
there are exceptions to this rule, and
heavier applications than the one sug-
gested may be necessary on, some of the
sandy soils OF the southern part of the
state where the lime is markedly def
Client. Yard manure of itself is not a
complete fertilizer and could not be ex-
pected to give its best results unless APP
piled with phosphates and potash. I'm
der the drill row with the proper COM
bination of fertilizers after an 9pplica-
ton of lime better results than those
you have secured UP to this time viii be
obtained. II lime is to be applied this
spring it should be put on at once as a
surface application, and the finely ground
unburnt kind should be used. II the fer
tilizer is then put on later under the
drill row and mixed with the soil there
will be less danger of injury than any
other way in which it can be used. 1t is
not desirable to put caustic lime on corn
stalks in the bottom of burrows as it will
tend to burn up the nitrogen. Let the
stalks be mixed with the soil and allowed
to decay, keeping the lime, as already
Indicated, on the surface of the ground.
Canada peas may be sown in drills with
Burt oats at once as a forage crop. We
have not secured large yields from this
combination. as the Canada pea is of
somewhat doubtful value in Georgia, 1t
being better adapted for growth in colder
climates. The crop can sometimes be
planted in the fall with the vetch. We
have had ii come through the winter a
few times, though severe frosts have
sometimes killed it back. One bushel OF
peas and one of oats is about the right
proportion to use. The early seeding of
this crop is very important. Phosphates
and potash should be used under the
crop. A 2-S-4 is a good combination to
use. Where one desires TO grow peas for
seed, it would be best to sow them
with the grain drill covering to a depth
of about three inches. You can not raise
them so as to have them for table pur-
poses In the winter. They will not mature
their seed much earlier in the spring
than the garden variety.
EGG-EATING HABIT IN HENS.
w. A. H., Jakin, Ca, writes: l would
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