The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1916-11-24
LIME BADLY NEEDED
DEMONSTRATION
HASTY SAYS
Increased Yield Of Grain
By Its Use Has Been
Proven Successful
BY w. D. HASTY

liberal application of lime is
one of the first great economic steps
toward the positive enrichment OF
most of our Cobb County soils. "A
limestone country is a rich coun-
try" This is proverb older than
american agriculture.
Our soils in Georgia are almost in
variably acid. Prof. DeLoach, Of
the Georgia Experiment Station,
says, 500 of Georgia soils need
lime" Even in the limestone val
leys and uplands of northwest Geor-
g1a much of the soil is acid, due to
the fact that the calcium has leach
ed out. | have seen good results
from the use Of ground limestone
on soil which was underlaid with
lime rock
The natural condition of any soil
is neutral, that is, there are enough
bases to neutraliZe the acids, but the
effect of weathering and cropping is
rapidly than the acid material, leav-
ing the soil in an acid condition. A
liberal application of lime will
sweeten the soil by neutralizing
this sour condition.
The proper use of lime will in
crease the returns from commercial
fertilizer. If farmer uses acid fer
tiliZer on an acid soil, he cannot eX-
pect to get as great returns as if he
had previously neutralized this acid
ity by applying lime to the soil. On
sandy soil at Waycross, Ca, DR..
Whitney obtained the following re-
suits:
Phosporic acid and nitrogen 67Ga
increase
Phosphoric acid, nitrogen, ana
potash, 1870 increase.
Lime alone 47ao increase.
Phosphoric acid, nitrogen, potash
and lime ll5%o increase.
Lime serves the following pur-
poses:
!. Corrects acidity.
,. Favors the growth of soil bac-
terra.
,, Makes heavy soils porous.
4. Makes light soils more com
pact.
,. Unlocks plant food and makes
it available.
Since the potash famine exists
and must be met, it seems that the
use of lime will be one of the most
economic ways of temporarily meet
ing it. Most Of our soil contains
considerable amount of potash, but
it is not available. When finely
ground limestone comes in contact
with the potash minerals in the soil,
a chemical reaction will take place.
the result of which is the liberation
Of potash
The writer is glad to report that
several car loads Of ground lime
stone have been used in the county
this fall. Many Of the farmers Of
the Lost Mt. and Powder Springs
sections are using it under their
small grain. All of those who used
it under wheat last year report
good increase in yield.
The question is constantly being
asked, how much lime should be APP
piled to the acre? This will depend
upon the soil and the frequency Of
applications The initial applica-
ton of from two to four tons, with
subsequent applications of one ton
per acre every three years, will
maintain limestone soil on most OF
our farms.
AS to time of application due
consideration should be given to the
farm work, condition of weather,
land, and time crop is to be planted
Either fall, winter, or spring appli-
cation may be made on clay soils.
bat on light soils spring application
is preferable 50 as to prevent leach
ing, which may occur on this type
Of soil. The essential thing is to get
the lime on the land and conven-
fence or economy in getting the
work done is usually the factor
which should govern the time Of APP
plication.