loOcT.. 191^-] Rcl'ition of Lime to Soil Fertility 



62s 



Kfi-ect of Lime on Plant (.«ro\vth. 



From the nature of the action which lime exercises in soils it would" 

 naturally be expected that the result would be seen in the character of 

 the vep;etation. This is so both in rt^gard to the quantity and quality 

 •of the produce. 



Heavier Yields. 



Fig. 3 represents a stronger growth of wheat following upon the u.se 



• of lime. Reference has already been made to the stimulating effect of 

 lime upon lucerne and clover. Several years ago a few experiments 



•with lime were conducted by the Department in the northern wheat areas. 

 On most of the farms an increase was recorded— this increase ranging 

 from 0.67 to 3.25 bushels per acre. Unfortunately, these tests lasted for 



•one season only, and it is impossible to test the full effect of lime within 



-one year. 



Improved (Quality in Roots. 



In root and forage crops the effect of lime will often l>e seen in the 

 ^better quality of the produce as much as in the quantity. A few years 

 ago some experiments were conducted in the south of Scotland to deter- 

 mine this point with turnips.* At each of three farms 2 acres of 

 turnips were grown, i acre with acid phosphate (super) and i acre with 

 lime and phosphate. After lifting, the roots were separately fed to 

 equal lots of sheep, which were weighed at the beginning and again at 

 the end of the feeding tests. The same weight of turnips was given to 

 •each lot, and the feeding lasted twelve weeks. The results were as 

 follows : — 



Name of Farm. 



Auchneel 

 Awhirk 

 Torr .. 



The roots from lime and phosphate were better feeding than the roots 

 from superphosphate alone on every farm. 



Profitable Returns from Pasture 



In England a number of experiments have been carried out to find 

 how the top-dressing of pastures affected its mutton-producing capacity.! 

 The experiments with lime lasted nine years, and were conducted at 

 three farms. At each farm two separate blocks were fenced off, and 

 each received 100 lb. phosphoric acid per acre the first year, and again 

 in the fourth year. In addition one block at each farm got h ton ground 

 lime per acre in the first, third, and seventh years. Each year the 

 blocks carried what sheep they could feed, and the sheep were weighed 

 when put on, and again when taken off. The following table shows 



Bui. 2.3, W. of Scot. Agric. Col. 



t Supp. Jour. Bd. Agric, Lond. Jan., -811. 



