The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-11-24
LECTURES
Before The Agricultural Ex-
tension School
On Lining The Soil And
Judging Horses

Howard, o., Nov. 2O-The following
is summary of the lectures delivered
today at the Agricultural Extension
School:
LINING THE SOIL
'Jn England" said w. j. Hendrix
in his lecture on Lining the Soil"
Friday morning, there are fields
which were once covered with heavy
applications of chalk. In some cases
IT. is reported that as much as 100
tons were applied to the acre. Those
fields are fertile today, whereas other
fields fertilized and cultivated in the
same manner, but which received no
lime are rather infertile. Lime has
made the difference between fertility
and lack, Of fertility. In America lin.
ing Of the soil is, in many localities,
new and infrequent practice. Still
In those communities there are to be
found fields Of clover which are liv-
ing testimonies to the efficacy of
treating soil with lime"
"Just at present lining of soils is
popular with many farmers. Many Of
these same farmers would not use
commercial fertilizers but are willing
to apply lime; on the other hand there
are In some localities men who buy
yearly large quantities Of fertilizer
but will not admit the value Of lime.
Why the difference? The truth is
that no one treatment will suffice for
all soils; some soils need fertilizers,
other soils need lime and require both.
Lime differs from fertilizer In that its
use is not profitable on all soils.
whereas the use of fertilizer Is.
Lime is used to correct acidity or
sourness. Manure and commercial
fertilizers are going to be used on all
soils. II the soil Is sour the use of
these materials is not going to be as
profitable as 1t would be II the soil
were first lined. Some OF the best
farm practices such as drainage, crop
rotation, and the turning under of
much organic matter while desirable
in themselves, help to decrease the
natural supply Of lime under cultiva-
ton. In time 1t will be necessary to
lime the greater part of the land un
der cultivation. For considerable
part of Ohio that time is already
here"
| JUDGING HORSES
Friday morning at the Extension
School the subject of the judging OF
horses was treated by w. H. Palmer
The instructor emphasized some
points in regard to the horse and Its
use to the farmer. 1t has been ap
propriately said that market horses
are classified according to their jobs
Under this head, there are three dis
tinct types of horse: draft, coach ant
roadster. Draft horses are intended
to pull heavy loads at slow rate o.
speed; coach horses, good-sized con
veyances at q moderate speed road
sters, light loads at rapid speed
The farmer is, Of course, especial!
concerned with the drafter.
Il The points to be considered In sc
lecting the draft horse are: weight
symmetry of form, low setness, widtl
or breadth, compactness, feet ant
action. Weight Ia necessary because
II adds to the resources Of the hors
when he starts to do his work
Breadth Is necessary because 1t in
dicates strong framework. This 4
desired because power depends OF
muscular development and muscula
development depends on framework
Symmetry and low setness are essen
tial because the seat OF power Is Il
the hind legs and to transfer this T.
the collar, there must be a good med
ium OF transmission. Since the draf,
er Is heavy and has heavy loads /
pull, good sound feet are necessar
to hold up the rest Of the body an
TO withstand the strenuous wOrl
Proper action means conservation q
energy and the kind desired In tn
drafter Is good, snappy, direct wall
There are many reasons why tn
farmer should produce draft horses
= The average farmer has means Q
hand with which to produce drafter
! and can market them without turnin
much OF the profits over to the middle
man.