Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-04-06
l.ime-HoW TO Use Il.
earl Jones, Instructor In Agronomy, at Farm
ers' Week.

1
ers' Week.
The supply of carbonate lime which is
the form which corrects aoidity in the
soil is being continually reduced as lime
ia leached out of the soil in considerable
amounts every year. The decay OF Or
psnic matter, the use Of most CONNER
cial fertilizers, and in fact practically
everything we do to make the soil pro-
ductve, means loss of lime to the soil.
Soil acidity, then, is coming on gradual
iy. 80, ~
Practically all the soils in this state
are acid, unless lime or ashes'have been
used In recent years. The question OF
interest to the farmer is, "How. can i
tell when my soil needs lime9" Obser-
vation OF the growth of crops Is proba-
bly, the best method for determining
this. II clover does we'll, lime is not
needed although manure will produce
good clover in acid soils If clover does
not do as we'll as 1t should and no other
explanation can be found, 1t 10 likely
that the soil needs lime and at least
trial With lime should be made. The
growth of sorrel and the replacing OF
timothy by red top are good indications
of the need of lime. The litmus paper
test Is fairly accurate and may be con-
sidered reliable II crop growth also indi.
Gates need Of lime. The best method OF
finding whether 1t is needed or not 10 to
try lime on small plot In the field and
then notice the effect on the growth OF
clover or beets, both OF which are sensi'
tive to acidity.
In this state lime is absolutely essen
tial to the growth of alfalfa. II the soil
10 acid, clover is helped considerably BY
lime and other farm crops as timothy,
blue grass, the small grains and most
fruits and vegetables are helped to
slighter extent. The crops that do well
in acid soils are able to utilize the forms
of plant food found under those condi-
tions.
Acidity is especially detrimental to
bacterial action in the soil, hindering the
decay of organic matter and tho work OF
the bacteria that. live In tho uodules on
the roots Of legumes.
An increased growth Of clover stimu-
lated BY lime, would help the other
farm crops. The man who Is growing
potatoes, however, has another problem
on his hands. Potatoes will do we'll in
an acid soil unless the acidity 10 too
great and tho use Of lime will make con-
di,ions favorable for the development
of potato scab. 1t will be advisable,
then, for the man who 10 growing pota-
toes. to avoid lining and grow less clio
YER rather than run the risk of making
conditions favorable for potato scab.
There are practically only two forms
of lime available for agricultural use In
this state, land lime and ground lime.
stone. It takes about 2500 pounds Of
ground limestone to equal 1000 pounds
| of land lime. The material that can be
bought most economically should be
used, remembering the cost Of transport.
ing and applying the extra amount Of
ground limestone. - Lime should be
spread broadcast on plowed land and
narrowed into the soil, although 1t can
be applied as top dressing With good
results. II IL preferably applied just
before seeding down. We recommend
a ton of lime as an initial application
but smaller amounts will produce good
results. To equal . ton of lime, 5000
pounds OF land lime and 3700 pounds OF
ground limestone should be used. ANA.