Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-06-02
LIME.
ROYAL BAKING POWDER co.
New York

Earl Jones, instructor in Agronomy, .. Of
NJ, in farmers week course, fsis.i.
The supply of carbonate lime which is
the form " hich corrects acidity in the soil
is being continually reduced as lime is
leachsd out OF the soil in considers Bile
amounts every year. The decay OF or
ganic matter, the use of most CONNER
cial fertilizers, and in fact practically
everything we do to make the soil pro-
ductive, mean loss OF lime to the soil.
Soil aeidity. then, is coming on gradually.
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 il, ~How can tell " hen my soil
needs liner Observation Of the growth
OF crops is probably the best method
for determining this. II clover does well,
lime is not needed, although manure will
produce good clover in acid soils IL
clover does not do as well as it should and
no other explanation can be found, 1t is
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 litmns paper
test is fairly accurate and may be con-
sidered reliable ifcrop growth also indi-
Gates the need OF lime. The best method
OF finding whether it is needed or not is to
try lime in small plot in the field and
then notioe the effect on the growth OF
clover or bsets, both Of which are sensi-
tive to acidity.
In this State lime ia absolutely essential
To the growth of alfalfA. If the soil is
acid, clover is helped considerably by
lime, and other farm crops, ~ 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 the work Of
the bact eria that live in the nodules on
the roots of legumes.
An increased growth OF clover, stimu-
lated by lime, would help the other farm
C1OPc- LIE l3oh ~ 70 Rot1tocS-
however, has another problem on his
hands. Potatoes will do well in an acid
soil unless the acidity is too great, and the
use of lime will make conditions favora BILE
for the development OF potato scab. 1t
will be advisable, thsn, for the man who
is growing potatoes, to avoid lining and
grow less clover rather than run the risk
of making conditions favorable for POI
ratoes scab.
There are practically only two forms OF
lime available for agricultural use in this
State 0and lime and ground limestone).
1t takes about 1880 pounds OF ground
limestone to equal 1000 pounds OF land
lime. The material that can be bought
most economically should be use, remem-
bering the cost of transporting and APP
plying the extra amount OF ground lime
stone.
Lime should be spread broadcast on
plowed land narrowed into the soil, al
though it can be applied as a top dress
ing with good results. Ii is preferably
applied just before seeding down. We
recommend ton OF lime as an initial ap-
plication, but smaller amounts will pro-
duce good results. To equal ton of lime
5000 pound OF land lime and $500 pounds
of ground limestone should be used.