74 Report of the Department of Agronomy of the 



subsoil do not need nearly as much limestone as those soils which 

 are acid to a depth of two or three feet. Heavy clay soils usually 

 require larger applications of limestone than sandy soils to accom- 

 plish the same result. Some crops respond more generously to 

 heavy applications of limestone than others. 



From a study of all data bearing on the subject and in considera- 

 tion of the present average prices for ground limestone it seems 

 advisable to use on most soils of this state that are distinctly in 

 need of lime about two tons per acre of limestone as an initial applica- 

 tion, and to follow this up with one or two tons per acre every 4 

 to 6 years thereafter. Under some conditions smaller amounts will 

 do and again larger quantities would be better. 



In preparing land for alfalfa it should be remembered that this 

 crop is unusual in its requirements for lime and that for best results 

 enough should be applied to assure the crop an abundance of that 

 material during the succeeding four or five years. Therefore three 

 or four tons of ground limestone per acre is probably not an extrav- 

 agant amount to use in such a case. 



Methods of applying. — By means of a limestone spreader is the 

 most satisfactory way of getting this material on the land. In this 

 manner it can be spread with much less work and the same amount 

 will effectively cover more ground than if scattered by hand or 

 with a manure spreader. It is best to apply the limestone to the 

 rough ground after plowing, thus mixing it more thoroughly with 

 the soil by the subsequent operations of disking and harrowing. 



It is in the line of good practice to apply any form of lime as long 

 as practicable before seeding the first crop to be benefited by its 

 application. Fall plowed land furnishes an excellent opportunity 

 for the application of limestone. Also summer plowed land to be 

 seeded to grain in the fall and to clover or grass the following spring 

 furnishes a good opportunity for applying limestone. In general it 

 is much better to apply limestone in the summer and fall, when the 

 roads are good, the land firm, and work not so pressing, rather than 

 in the spring when there is haste to get in the crops and conditions 

 are often bad for hauling and applying. 



What soils of New York State are in need of limestone? We have 

 as yet no maps nor complete data from which to answer this ques- 

 tion satisfactorily. But our observations, together with those of 

 many others who have studied the subject, lead us to believe that 

 the great majority of the soils of the state are distinctly in need of 

 applications of lime carbonate. The chief exceptions are those soils 

 which overlie or are in the vicinity of extensive limestone outcrops 

 and which are known to contain limestone gravel or boulders in the 

 surface or subsoil. 



Practical tests for the need of applying limestone. — Soils of a reddish- 

 brown color and in the subsoil of which are occasionally found frag- 



