Lime, Its Value and Importance 1677 



In the case of ground limestone and marl the following condi- 

 tions exist : 



3,570 pounds of limestone (equivalent to one ton of burned lime) at 



$4.00 per ton $7 14 



Hauling, at $1.00 per ton 1 78 



Applying, at $.75 per ton 1 33 



Total cost per acre $10 25 



The above computations are approximately correct for Xew 

 York State conditions. Ground limestone can be hauled with less 

 discomfort than the other forms, and if the cost per acre of such 

 were not much greater than that of caustic lime it would be satis- 

 factory. High freight rates are often a contributing factor. The 

 greatest difficulty seems to be that producers in New York State 

 generally charge too high a price for the material at the quarries. 

 In New York ground limestone costs generally — though a few 

 producers should be excepted — $2 or more a ton, f. o. b. cars at 

 quarries ; whereas in Ohio and Pennsylvania it is usually put on 

 the cars for $1 to $1.50 per ton. 



CONDITION OF MATERIAL 



Often our farmers do not get the results they expect from lime- 

 stone. This, in a measure, is due to the fact that too small appli- 

 cations are made, induced no doubt by the relatively high cost of 

 the material. If one ton of burned lime or its equivalent in slaked 

 lime or ground limestone is used, there is generally little difference 

 in the results. 



As a general proposition it may be said that a good course to 

 pursue is to purchase that form of lime which gives the greatest 

 amount of calcium oxide for the money involved, providing the 

 mechanical condition is satisfactory. 



Limestone can be made very fine by burning and then grinding 

 the burned lime. This product, known as ground burned lime, 

 is satisfactory, and if sold at a reasonable price should be used in 

 increasing quantities with good results. 



Fineness of materials is important in liming land. If there 

 is an advantage here it is secured by the use of burned lime which, 



