EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 505 



HOW TO APPLY LIME. 



Lime to be most effective must be thoroughly worked into the soil. 

 A thorough incorporation with the soil mass results in the root system 

 of the crops grown coming in contact with larger areas of limed soil. 

 Powdered limestone, marl or hydrated lime should not be applied to wet 

 soils, since the particles form small groups thus markedly slowing up 

 their actions. Usually best results are obtained when lime is applied to 

 the soil previous to forming the seed bed. 



Machines mav be employed for spreading lime. One type is attached 

 to the wagon which carries the lime while the other runs on its own 

 wheels as a separate machine. The latter is in most favor because it 

 can be operated by one man and with less horse-power than is required 

 to draw the farmer and the loaded wagon. 



No Lime. Lime as Top-dressing in Lime Harrowed 



Spring After Seeding. in Before Seeding. 



Figure 7. Timothy — Tliough Incorporation of Lime With the Soil is Essential for Maximum 



Results. 



This type of machine may be purchased on the market or may be made 

 by a blacksmith and carpenter. A complete description of the plans for 

 making a spreader for ground limestone is presented in Illinois Agri- 

 cultural Experiment Station Circular 110. 



Although ground limestone and hydrated lime may be distributed from 

 the wagon or heaps in the field by means of a shovel, it is usually ad- 

 visable to employ a machine since its use results in a more uniform 

 distribution when somewhat smaller applications are required. 



If the caustic or stone lime is used it is generally advisable to place 

 it in small heaps about the field and cover these with moist earth until 

 * slaked and then distributed by means of a shovel. If the lime is not 

 too lumpy it may be distributed without this treatment. 



Marl may be applied to the soil with a shovel, a manure spreader or 

 if dry and sufficiently pulverized with a lime spreader. In the use of 

 the manure spreader precaution should be taken to prevent overloading. 

 Some apply marl and manure to the soil at the same operation where 

 the heap of marl is accessible, thus saving an aj)preciable amount of 

 labor. 



Other methods of making more efficient use of labor may be employed. 

 The limestone should be hauled at once thus releasing the car and 

 avoiding demurrage. Arrangements should also be made to spread the 



