318 Bulletin 179. 



THE USE OF LIME. 



Some recent investigations that have been carried on under the direction of Mr. 

 Wheeler of the Rhode Island Experiment Station, at Kingston, R. I., have shown 

 that acidity or sourness of the soil is much more common than has hitherto been 

 supposed to be the case. It was proved by these experiments that this acidity 

 of the soil lessens the effect of fertilizers on very many crops; in most cases the 

 effect of nitrate of soda was very much lessened. 



It is for this reason that the use of lime is recommended in the experiments 

 of this year, when it can be obtained without too much cost, on half of each one of 

 the small plats of the set in the manner directed below. 



If the soil is acid or sour the lime corrects the acidity and makes success with 

 fertilizers much more certain; besides this, it loosens a heavy clay loam, so that it 

 can be more easily cultivated; it helps in the conversion of the slow action of the 

 nitrogen of the soil into more rapid action; it may set free and make immediately 

 efficient some of the tightly-locked potash of the soil. 



The experiments of last year indicated that the failures to get good crops with 

 the fertiUzers applied was not due to a lack of plant-food in some of the soils 

 tested. It is quite possible that if lime had been used with the fertilizers better 

 results would have been obtained. 



One application of lime will last for some years. Therefore, since its use may 

 prove to be profitable in many cases, a trial of it seems to us advisable. 



APPLICATION OF THE LIME AND FEETILIZERS. 



Each half plat is to receive 100 lbs. of lime.* (One heaping bushel of fresh 

 stone lime weighs 75 lbs.; one heaping bushel of air-slaked lime weighs 50 lbs. — 

 Roberts' Fertility of the Land, page 305.) 



The plats having been laid out, make two piles of fresh stone lime of 50 lbs. 

 each (I bushel in each pile) upon that half of each plat which is to be limed. 

 This quantity represents two tons of lime per acre. Pour from :^ to i of an ordi- 

 nary pailful of water on each pile of lime, or less water if the soil is pretty damp, 

 and immediately cover the lime with soil. In three or four days the lime will be 

 completely slaked. It is then in the form of a fine white powder and it can be 

 easily spread. With a shovel scatter the lime in two piles as evenly as possible 

 over that half of the plat to be limed. Care should be taken not to leave an 

 excessive amount of lime on the ground under the piles. If fresh stone lime 

 cannot be obtained use air-slaked lime if that can be had. The air-slaked lime 

 is already in the form of a fine powder and should be spread broadcast imme- 

 diately without further treatment (2 bushels to each half plat if air-slaked lime 

 is used). 



Apply the lime as early in the spring as possible on the plowed ground and 

 immediately drag it into the soil most thoroughly. 



* If potatoes are to be grown on the plats omit the use of lime. 



