Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-09-16


perience and observation as we have
had, the use of that in which the
carbonate predominates.
AS to the amount to apply per
acre, opinions still vary consid-
crably. Owing to the dearth of lime
to emphasize it's application, espe-
cially where it is used in associa-
tion with leguminous crops. We
hear a great deal about the large
percentage of pops in peanuts.
There is much complaint on the
nuts relative to this matter. Nat
urally the larger the percentage Of
pops present the poorer the re.
turns obtained from peanuts. This
| tends to depress the price Oh the
whole crop and is a condition which
That he can materially improve the
character of his crop and lessen the
percentage of pops through the use
of lime seems now quite clearly
established. Under the circum-
stances our peanut growers should
use a minimum of 500 pounds per
acre of crushed rock and a max
imum say of one ton. An applica-
ton of this kind once in two to
three years will prove beneficial.
In fact, L am disposed to think
| that the crushed rock should be
| say at the rate of 500 to 1000 pounds
per acre. With most of our legumes
applications of 1000 pounds will
be found beneficial and satisfactory,
In the case of alfalfa and other
small-seeded legumes more lime
needs to be used. In preparing land
| for alfalfa at least two tons or
crushed rock should be applied be-
fore the land is broken for plant
| ing in the spring. Then at least
| two tons more should be applied
when it is re-broken in the autumn
in preparation of the seed bed for
| planting. Our experience indicates
| and justifies an application of at
| least four tons of lime to the acre
| preparatory to the planting of al
falfa. We imagine that many fail
ures to secure a satisfactory stand
of red clover are due to the alb
| sence of lime from the soil, or its
| combination with other mineral ele-
ments which makes it altogether
| unavailable to this crop.
Undoubtedly cowpeas, soy beans,
velvet beans and the vetches will
! be benefited by the use CT lime. We
| are disposed to think that moderate
| will constitute the best practice. We
do not believe lime will be found
| especially helpful under cotton or
cereals. On certain experiments we
| have made there has been a certain
beneficial result from it's use. We
think probably, the same effect
| would have followed the use of the
same amount under legumes grown
on the same land the previous year.
| Then we are certain that two BEN
efits from it's application would have
| been obtained, the chief benefits ac-
| second benefit to the crop following
| after.
There is no need to go outside the
| southeastern states, therefore, to
secure an adequate supply Of lime,
| as there are now a good many mines
| in operation. No mention up to this
time has been made of oyster shell
lime, one of the most desirable
forms of this material. On the other
| hand we regret to see oyster shells
used in unlimited quantities in the
manufacture of lime. We think It
better to keep them in oyster beds
in order that we might always have
tant bivalve. If we do continue to
crush oyster shells indiscriminate-
ly there will come a time when we
will regret this practice, so it is
better to stop now, since we have
literally mountains of limestone al
our command.
AS to the methods of purchasing
and using the crushed rock, it seems
advisable to buy only in car load
lots, because in this way many
economies may be practiced which
are otherwise not possible. 1t AZ
true probably that many farmers
do not wish a carload, but the
cooperative spirit must enter int
our agricultural operations, and s.
there is no reason why group oil
farmers at even the most isolated
point in the state should not buy
in carload lots.
AS to the time of application
there is some debate, but as a rule
it may be used at almost any sea.
son. 1t is the best to put it on soms
time before the planting of the
average crop under which it can be
used to advantage. Two weeks will
be sufficient. AS a rule it should b:
scattered broadcast over the toE
of the ground. A lime distributor
may be used for this purpose. Il
may also be scattered from the
wagon bed. Any method of insurins
it's even distribution over the TOT
soil is desirable. Then it should bt
narrowed into the land, but no
covered deeply. When such crops as
alfalfa are planted it is proper tt
pillow lime down, turning it into the
soil to a depth of eight inches OF
even more. The purpose of this is
to sweeten the lower areas of the
soil as thoroughly as possible