1972 The Cornell Reading Courses 



stone. In section II, from looo to 2000 pounds of quicklime per acre, or 

 twice this amount of ground limestone, will usually be sufficient. In 

 section III the soil is generally very deficient in lime, and from 2000 to 

 4000 pounds of quicklime per acre, one-half as much more of hydratcd 

 lime, or twice as much ground limestone, is required. The land in section 

 IV is very irregular. Many of the valleys are supplied with lime, but 

 most of the hill lands require about the same amount per acre as do sec- 

 tions II and III. 



There are certain areas in the State, such as the limestone soils, where 

 most of the productive soils will grow alfalfa. However, for a large 

 section of the State, designated as section III on the chart, only the best 

 land should be used for alfalfa at first. Its culture should be tried first. 

 on well-drained bottom land and extended to upland as experience is 



Fig. 149. — Root nodules of alfalfa 



gained and as experiment indicates the best method of procedure. On 

 the hardpan soils of southern New York, alfalfa culture should be tried 

 only on the most favorable land at present. 



Forms of lime. — There are three forms of lime. When 100 pounds of 

 pure raw lime rock is burned, it is reduced to 56 pounds, because certain 

 gases are driven off. When tliis burnt lime, or quicklime, is water-slaked, 

 it takes up 18 pounds of water, giving a weight of 74 pounds. Therefore, 

 the amount of each form of lime, if pure, to give equivalent results is ex- 

 pressed as follows : 



Burnt lime, or quicklime 56 pounds 



Hydratcd lime 74 pounds 



Ground limestone 100 pounds 



INOCULATION FOR ALFALFA 



Alfalfa requires large amounts of nitrogen. If the soil is very rich in 

 easily available nitrogen, th? alfalfa plants will acquire a sufficient amount 



