The Hays free press., 1920-10-21

With the building up of soil by
proper crop rotation becoming more
general the use of lime for improving
agricultural soils is increasing. Lime
stone soils are universally recognized
as rich soils and especially suitable
for stock farming. where proper
mixed hay and pasture are vital. By
the use Of ground limestone many
farmers, frequently at a moderate ex-
pense, can make their soils better, say
specialists of the bureau of Soils
United States department of agrIcul-
ture.
Where lime can be bought from
large plants producing it cheaply, it is
doubtful whether the farmer in a lime
stone region would do we'll to make
his 'Own lime. In other cases, how
ever, the existence Of local material
and the aGvisability Of using power
or labor which would otherwise go to
waste make it the best policy to pro-
duce lime on the farm. In some rural
communities are sources of power.
such as saWmillS, which are only used
for a part of the year. In cases of
this kind it may be possible 10 utilize
this power for limestone grinding, and
thus lower the price of the product.
In other cases, as at prisons. refOrma
tories institutions for the insane, ETC.,
there is available large amount of
unpaid or cheap labor which may be
used to produce lime for the institu-
ton farm or even for sale to neigh
boring farmers.
Burning or Grinding.
Given a source of limestone or
shell, the farmer has a choice of either
grinding the material finely and using
1t in the form of carbonate or burning
it and using it in the form of oxide or
quicklime. In the early days of this
country the burning process was the
only one employed, but at present
ground limestone is popular in many
sections where long freight hauls are
not involved. Good results agricultur-
ally are obtained from lime in either
of these forms.
Burning has certain advantages for
small operations, chiefly because it
takes no expensive equipment or pow
er plant. Where only a small amount
Is needed all that is necessary is TO
use the sO-called heap method. In
this system a layer of two rows of
dry cordwood mixed with a lighter
kindling is first laid down, next a lay
er of coal, next a layer of limestones
and above this several layers Of lime
stone and coal. One part of coal
should burn several parts of lime
stone. The outside of this heap is
covered with soil and the kindling
lighted. The burning of the wood and
coal turns the whole amount of broken
limestone into burned lime. the car
bon diOxide escaping as q gas through
an opening left in the top of the heap
for this purpose. The process is not
completely satisfactory unless the gas
is allowed TO escape.
This method produces lime which is
mixed with ashes. but as the coal
ashes are harmless and the wood
ashes beneficial to the soil no i'll eff
fects result from this mixture Oyster
or clam shells may be burned in SIM
liar manner or in a special rack made
of cOrdwOOd. In alI cases the heat
must be controlled and spaces must
be left between the stone or shells for
the flames to penetrate.
Where larger quantities of lime are
to be made it may be advisable in
some cases to construct a small cylin-
drical kiln. which may be lined with
fire brick or sandstone. This is rare
ly advisable for the farmer at pres
ent, however, as under these condi-
tions it would probably pay him bet
ter to purchase a grinding outfit.
Community Production.
The use OF small crushers and pull
verizers to produce ground limestone
has proved satisfactory in many 10
calities. They are naturally not as
economical as a large plant but may
save high freight rates to inaccessible
localities. They are often employed
also at of seasons of the year where
labor would otherwise not be used to
the best advantage. The most con-
venient outfit is a combination crush
er and puIverizer, but good results
are secured from small pulverfzers.
although in this case a good deal
more hand siedging has to be done
Portable outfits may be moved from
place to PLACE and thus utilize out
crops and save hauling.
Where associations of farmers are
buying machinery a stationary plant
may be installed which should produce
limestone at a low cost per ton. As
each case is a business proposition
which will have to be considered by
itself, it Is difficult to advise as to