Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-06-03
Agricultural Lime.

The use of lime on soil is by no mean
a modern practice, but the last few year'
have seen remarkable increase In itl
use, and return to the practices Of 9
century or two ago. Modern research
has uncovered new reasons for the ust
of lime, and has given 1t place in oul
cropping and fertilizing systems.
Lime Is what Is known as soil amend
ment. Itis true that plants contain
small percentage of lime, but practically
all soils have sufficient present to supply
this need. 1t 1s for other reasons that
the lime is usually applied. For exam
pie, to counteract acid conditions, tu
unite with other soluble. plant foods, and
thus prevent losses, to encourage bacte'
rial growth and improve soil structure OF
tilth. Many of the soils of eastern Unit
ed States are not growing at present the
crops of clover that they did some years
ago, This may not always be due to
lack of lime, but 1t cannot be denied
that the use of lime almost invariably is
followed by better crops Of clover, and II
one is attempting to grow alfalfa, 1t ia
practically essential that the soil be
lined before the seed Is sown.
There Is q great deal Of confusion as
to the forms of lime on the market, and
their relative value. Aside from wood
ashes, which contain about % per cent
of lime, we have lime In three distinct
forms. First, mason's, or lump lime,
sometimes called fresh or cask lime.
Second, agricultural, or hydrated lime,
which is generally Stacked lime. And
third, ground limestone, or mari. The
term agricultural lime is sometimes
used to apply to any form Of lime used
for agricultural purposes. Therefore,
the second form Is better designated IS
hydrated lime. Fresh, or lump lime is
familiar to everyone. Hydrated lime is
made by adding water to fresh
lime, and ground limestone, or mari, Is
the natural rock, or deposit, ground to
sufficient flnenesss. As to the relative
value of these three forms, the following
general statement may be taken to ap.
ply to practically all of the products on
the market: If 1t is desired to apply at
the rate of one ton per acre of fresh
lime, then to produce the same results,
it would be necessary to apply one and a
half tons of hydrated lime, or two tons
of ground limestone or mari. Fresh
lime is a standard product on the mar
ket, and can always be purchased with
safety. Agricultural lime should only
be purchased when an analysis is fur.
nished. The same holds true for ground
limestone, or. mari.
The form to use depends almost en-.
tirsly upon the source of production. A
ton of ground limestone may be pur-
chased for less than the equivalent to a
thousand pounds OF fresh lime, but the
freight rate on it may be prohibitive.
Again, fresh lime is disagreeable to han
die for 1t must be slaked before apply
ing. If it is at hand, the ground lime
stone, or mari, is most agreeable to han
die, since there is little dust. Perhaps
on the whole the cheapest form In which
to purchase lime 10 this state is the by
drafted product. However, this must be
determined for each individual after get
ting quotations and freight rates.-W:
l.. Slate, Jr., Associate Professor OF
Agronomy, Orono, Maine.