The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-02-18
LIME FOR AGRICULTURAL PUR-

POSES
The County Agent al Berea, Ky.
wishes 10 call the attention Of IN,
farmers 10 the information given by
the State Experiment station on the
subject Of lime for agricultural pur-
poses.
The use Of lime in different forms
on Kentucky soils has been attended
with such good results that It's use
is rapidly on the increase. Many
plants are being established for sup
plying the demand. Some OF these
plants supply natural ground lime
stone. while others supply burned
lime, hydrated lime. or agricultural
lime"
In order that farmers may pur-
chase lime intelligently, IL Is nee
esssary for them TO understand the
nature Of the materials offered for
their use.
Lime in its various forms is used
primarily 10 correct soil acidity.
Raw ground lime stone. fresh burn
ed lime, and hydrated lime will all
perform this function. Limestone
rock is the source Of all these forms
Of lime. II 100 pounds Of pure lime
stone were thoroughly burned, IL
would yield 50 pounds Of fresh lime.
II this SO pounds Of fresh lime were
reated with Just enough water 10
completely slake II, IL would weigh
"a pounds. These amounts OF diff
ferent forms would have identically
the same value in correcting soil
acidity. Stated in another way, ii20
pounds Of fresh lime. 1880 pounds OF
water slaked lime and 1000 pounds
ground limestone are Of equal value
in correcting soil acidity.
Fresh lime and hydrated lime.
after application 10 the soil. soon
takes up carbon dioxide the part
lost in burning) and becomes the
same chemical compound as the ORR
ginal rock from which they were
made.
This information will serve as
basis for calculating the relative
cost Of actual naturalizing power in
the various forms Of lime offered al
different prices.
Hydrated lime can he made by
anyone by taking fresh lime and
shaking IL with water. Agriculture
lime" is generally ground hydrated
lime. Fresh burnt lime and hydrat-
ed lime must Of necessity sell for
more per unit Of actual neutralizing
power than ground limestone. on ac-
count Of the expense Of burning.
Fresh burnt lime and hydrated
lime may give better results the
first year than ground limestone, but
this is because OF its caustic effect
on organic matter of the soil. caus-
ing a more rapid giving up of nitro
gen. Experiments in Maryland and
Pennsylvania show that used
through a long period n time, the
raw rock limestone gives the better
results.
Limestone need not he ground
as finely as some people recommend.
II IL is ground to pass screen OF
ten meshes per linear inch. il is
sufficiently fine. This is about the
flneness OF coarse corn meal,
the cOarsest OF which
pass a screen with four meshes to
the inch, are quite satisfactory II
sold at a reasonable price. A large
percentage of such screenings con-
sist OF fine material. Such screen
ings are being sold in Kentucky at
soc 20 75c per ton on board cars
at the plant. More finely ground
OF high quality is being
sold in the State at 500 per ton on
board cars at the plant.
Ground limestone is calcium car
Donate, the value OF one ground
or calcium carbonate as
compared with another depends on
Me purity OF the rock.
Farmers, get together and decide
The amount OF lime needed in your
and order at once.