Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1920-02-11
Use Lime for Legumes and on
Acid or Sour Soil.

Use Lime for Legumes and on
Acid or Sour Soil.
While there is a great deal of talk
and many articles written on the use
of lime for agricultural purposes,
both pro and con, we can safely lay
down the rule that lime will be ben
.efecial to legume crops as clovers, al
fafa, peanuts, ETC., and in general
crop rotations where the soil is likely
to be acid. The acid soils are found
in low, damp, poorly drained places
and places that have grown in heavy
vegetation for number of years.
The htmus paper test of the soil is
the most convenient to determine
whether or not the soil is acid. Be-
low are directions for making the lit
mus test.
"secure blue litmus paper from
the druggist. While the soil has a
great deal of moisture in it (wet
enough to stick, go into the fio
with several water glasses. Put se,-
eral pieces of litmus paper lat least
two) on the bottom of the drinking
glasses and cover these with piece
of a good quality of white paper.
Then fill the glasses with the soil to
be tested. If the soil is not wet
enough to form a little water in the
bottom of the glass when packed,
add a little rain water or distilled
water. Let the glasses filled with the
soil set for several hours, six or
twelve, and then examine the test. If
the blue paper has turned pink or red
the soil is acid and needs a good ap-
plication of lime.
The best and safest way to use
lime for the average man is for him
to get the best quality of GROUND
LIMESTONE, calcium carbonate,
near 81 and SO per cent pure. If he
is to use this every four or five years
and does not care for immediate re-
suits and does not mind using good
quantity he should use from two to
four tons of the No. 10 or No. IL
mesh, bought in paper sacks or in
bulk. If he wants Immediate results
as the farmers will want this year in
growing peanuts, he should use the
finer ground limestone, and in the
drill if he wants immediate results
and does not care to use very much
in the application. He will find the
No. 200 mesh a good one to use and
should use about 500 pounds in the
drill to benefit his peanuts the COM
ing season. 1t will be available to get
this lime in paper bags since it would
be hard to handle in bulk, because of
its being so light. The No. 100 mesh
is a good one to show up the first
year. If the No. 100 mesh is used at
least 1000 pounds should be applied,
and in the drill. 1t may readily be
seen that the finer the limestone is
the quicker will be the effect on its
breaking down organic matter in the
soil, and liberating certain plant ele-
ments in the soil, potash for instance,
and the effect on the bacteria in the
soil.
While I am not an agent for lime
in any form, nor am l fighting any
concern or agent, 1 am fighting the
cheap form of lime and the man who
tries to put low grade of "Agricul-
tural Lime" that is "just as good" on
the farmer. In a few words say to
the farmers of our county, to be
careful about the low grades and get
nothing except the best. There are
many concerns that put out this 81
and SO per cent ground limestone
that l do not know of and have not
had correspondence with. l have had
correspondence with the American
Limestone people and know that
their product is good. l have prices
and samples of their materials on
hand and will be glad to show to our
farmers both, and aid them in or
dering direct. As l have said, l am
not an agent for Limestone nor any
other "stone," but am an agricul-
tural agent attempting to put the
best before his people. If can serve
you, do not hesitate to call on me.
A. B. CARWILE,
County Agricultural Agent.