The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1922-04-14
TALKS TO FARMERS.
By Capt. T. F. Peck.
Use OF LIME ON SOILS.


We are frequently asked the rela-
tive value of the different forms of
agricultural lime. The following ans
wers the question in very practical
way.
Seven acres in every ten of i'm
proved lands in the humid sections of
the United States needs lime to pro-
duce best crops according to the best
data available from field tests, farm
experience, and soil survey studies.
The wide range in lime need indicates
that each farmer must regulate the
amount of his application to meet the
particular requirements of his land.
The beneficial effect on practically
al crops, that results from the linn
ings of any soil, but more especially
those that are very sour or highly
acid, has been so well established by
experiment as well as by theory that
there is no longer any question as to
the importance of this practice to ev-
cry farmer. But with this fact
recognized, there still remain a num-
Der of important practical questions
to be answered with regard to the
comparative advantages, all things
considered, of the various forms in
which lime may be used for soil treat
ment. In answering these questions,
number of points need to be consid-
cred, and the farmer who wishes to
get the best results from his invest
ment in lining, will need to answer
these questions in the light of his own
situation and needs, remembering
that what might be true in one set of
circumstances, might be the. reverse
under different conditions.
First, it should be remembered that
the purpose of the lime is to sweeten
our soils, or, in other words, to natur-
alize the acids that develop in the soil
and cause its sourness. The amount
of time applied is relatively SO small
that it exercises very little, if any,
appreciable influence on the texture
of soils. The less well drained and
the less porus the soils, the greater
their acidity, and consequently the
greater their need for lime. For this
the less porous the soils, the greater
or frequent applications.
Second, since the sweetening effect
of the lime depends on chemical re-
action btween the lime and the acid,
the rapidity and extent of the result
may be influenced by the physical and
the chemical form of the lime used.
The finer it is pulverized, the more
rapid its action, which may be, ac-
cording to conditions, either an advan-
tage or disadvantage. For imme-
date use it is an advantage; but any
excess left for future utilization by
the soil, is more rapidly leached out
and lost. Quick. or unslacked lime
and Stacked or hydrated, lime act
much more rapidly than the pulveriz-
ed limestone, but they are more caus-
tic, and the former is very disagree
able 70 handle and apply; while any
excess of either form that is not i'm
mediately used in neutralizing acid in
the soil, very quickly reverts to the
form of carbonic lime, which is that
Of the pulverized limestone, and is no
more available than the latter, ex-
cept for its finer physical state, which
causes it to leach out more rapidly.
Finally, as the only available sub
stance for the sweetening of the soil
is the amount Of calcium that exists
in combination with oxogen, carbon
dioxide, or water, in the different
forms in which the lime is put on the
market, il is important to bear in
mind the following facts:
One ton of pulverized limestone
contains 500 pounds calcium; one ton
of quick lime contains LAPS pounds
calcium; one ton Of dry Stacked, or
hydrated lime contains l,0S1 pounds
calcium. In other words, when the
farmer buys pulverized limestone he
pays in the first cost and
freight for 100 pounds Of oxygen
and carbon dioxide that are Of no use