The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1915-07-30
Ground Lime Stone.

The value of ground limestone to the
farmers of Middle and West Tennessee,
and the ease with which this can be
procured, we're very clearly stated re-
Gently in an interview with Robert
Ewing of the Agricultural Committee
of the Commercial Club of Nashville
who has given the matter much
thought. He referred to the great
work being done by the University of
Tennessee and the pamphlet recently
issued by the University dealing with
this subject. The Industrial and I'm.
migration Department of the N. C. &
st. L. Railway has also just issued
very interesting and instructive booklet
dealing with lime and soil fertilization
which has been given wide circulation,
Mr.. Ewing in the course of his inter-
view says IF the farmers and the
dairymen of Middle and West Tennes-
see want their lands to yield more
abundantly they will have to use ground
limestone in order to correct the acidity
Of the soil and to supply the element
calcium as plant food. This fact is
made so plain by soil experts who are
familiar with the question that it can
no longer be doubted.
"The farmers of this territory tax
themselves to help to maintain the
University of Tennessee. They do
this that able men may be employed at
the University to give valuable instruc-
tion in matters of great moment, not
only to the young men of the state,
but lin the form of pamphlets easily
obtained) to the people themselves of
this territory. But is it true that
farmers themselves send for and care
fully read the pamphlets issued by the
University? If they do not, then so
far as they themselves are concerned
the tax they pay for maintaining the
University means nothing to them.
For instance. how many farmers in
this territory have read pamphlet
No. 81 issued by the University on
Lining for Tennessee Soils?' That
pamphlet shows in the clearest possible
way that the soils of this territory
stand in urgent need of lime in order to
rid them of certain kinds of objection
able acids and give them the necessary
plant food; that the best form in which
to furnish the soil with this lime is to
spread on the land finely ground lime
stone of good quality; that II this is
done an increase in the crop beyond the
cost of the lime will surely take place.
The statements made are not only
backed by chemical reasons, but by
actual results covering years Of expert
ments.
There are and can be no questions
affecting the material prosperity of
Middle and West Tennessee which
equal in Importance those Of imparting
fertility to soils apparently poor, or
the restoring of fertility to soils ex-
hausted by constant cultivation. In
this section we are especially favored
with the means of doing this. We have
the highest grade oflimestone in abund-
ance. If the soils need phosphoric acid
we also have this in abundance and al
most at our doors. We have grinding
plants able and ready to furnish either
article at very small profit. The rail-
roads are so anxious to have farmers
increase their crops by using these
materials and thus produce more
freight for them to haul that they are
granting as low rates as they can con-
sistently give on their transportation.
Everything now produced by the farm
er is commanding a good price. and is
sure to continue to do so. Population
is increasing and productive land is GO
ing up in price. If thousands Of acres
in Tennessee now regarded as Of but
little value can, by the use Of ground
limestone and ground phosphate rock.
coupled with manure or decaying vege-
tation, with the proper rotation of
crops, be made productive and conse-
quently valuable, is 1t not wise and to
the interest of the state and all its
citizens that this be done? Ia not the
purchase, clearing and cultivation Of
such land very live question in this
state, worthy of the most serious con- :
sideration? Is it not almost sort Of
crime not TO give back to soils which
have so long supported rs the food for
which they are now clamoring, the
lifeblood which we have taken from
them, and especially when this e so
easily obtained?
ITO hesitate to apply these two
stores Of fertility because Of their first
cost is the grsYest Of mistakes"