Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1912-09-05
AGRICULTURE AL INTER ESTS
Inc Farmer Produces the Eat are
Department. -. - - ~ $50
SOILS NEED LINE
Soil Tests Show Some Minnesota Soil
Deficient in Limestone.

Oeficient in Limestone.
1t has been believed by authorities
LOT long time that the soils in Min
nesoua contain plenty of limestone.
which, it is hardly necessary to state,
IS absolutely essential for plant
growth. An abundance of limestone
prevents the soil from becoming acid:
and an acid soil restricts the growth
OF farm crops. The growth of alfalfa
and clover or any of the legumes, is
rendered impossible when the soil is
acid, as the nitrogen gathering bac-
terra which live on their roots and
contribute to the plants growth can
not live in an acid soil.
The results of soil analysis at the
Minnesota station would Indicate that
not all of the soils in Minnesota con
tain plenty of limestone There is
plenty of evidence to prove this con-
tention. During the past week TWEEN
ty two samples Of soil were tested, of
which fourteen were acid The ma
jority of the fourteen acid samples
We're extremely acid. This does not
mean that the same percentage Of
Minnesota soils are acid, but it does
mean, with other proof which we
have, that there is considerable soil
in the state whose productiveness
would be improved by liberal applica-
lions of limestone.
Minnesota soils must contain lime
stone if they are to be productive.
The use Of lime to improve the soil is
as old as agriculture, itself. History
tells us that the Greeks used much
mari and ashes-lime is the principal
ngredient-before the Christian era
Roman writer's speak often of lime;
and in England, several centuries ago
the farmers removed chalk from the
sub-soil to be used, as fertilizer, fol
the lime which it contained. In the
United States much lining is done
in the eastern and east central por
tons. Maryland, Pennsylvania, New
York, the New England states, Hi
nois, Indiana, and Ohio perhaps lea6
in the use of limestone.
The Illinois Experiment Station has
completed soil survey of many coun
ties to determine the exact character
of the various types of soil, and learr
the exact lime requirements of the
acid types Minnesota should have
the acid soils within her borders 10
Gated so that lime can be, added an(
the productivity of her fields and pas
lures can be raised. No better serv
ice can be rendered the people of thu
state. This should be accompanied b.
a soil survey, so the types or area:
of soil of certain formation could b.
mapped and studied from this stand
point.
There are many sources of lime
stone in this state where lime can b
economically purchased to be used al
fertilizer. 1t is generally not Yer,
expensive, the price ranging from S
to "a per ton. In the improvement o
the soil, there are five principles tt
be observed-the control of water
principally by drainage; ample humu
in the soil; good tillage; fertilizers
and an adequate supply of lime t.
make the soil sweet and free iron
acid. The last principle should no
be forgotten.
Any farmer who believes his soil i
acid or sour may have sample test
ed free of charge by sending it to me
w. H. Frazer, assistant professor /
soils, Minnesota Agricultural College
st. Paul.