FERTILIZERS FOR MAirrS 217 



harrow it in. It takes less lime, the lime is nearer the surface, 

 and, if water-slaked in a large pile, it is in a much finer powder. 

 While there is a difference of opinion as to the practical diiter- 

 ences between the causticity of quick lime (CaO), water-slaked 

 lime (Ca(HO)o), and air-slaked lime (CaCOo), all seem agreed 

 that fineness is a positive advantage. The slaked lime may be 

 spread from a wagon with a shovel, or a manure spreader with 

 lime attachment may be used. Finely ground quick lime is now 

 placed upon the market, and may be applied with a grain drill 

 or a lime spreader. 



295. Irrigation. — While aKalfa, wheat, potatoes and many 

 fruits and vegetables have been abundantly raised by irrigation 

 in America, maize has nowhere been extensively grown by this 

 means. The yields of maize in the arid region under irrigation 

 so far as reported do not compare favorably with yields in humid 

 regions without irrigation. 



The Wisconsin Station l has studied the influence of irrigation in the humid 

 region. During eight years, ending 1901, the average yield of maize silage contain- 

 ing thirty per cent of dry matter w-as 17.2 tons \s-ith irrigation and 12.3 tons without 

 irrigation, on land of moderate fertilit)'. Wherever comparisons were made the 

 increase in grain -n-as greater than the increase in total dry matter. The average 

 amount of water added per year -n-as five inches. King concludes that "well man- 

 aged irrigation in climates like that of Wisconsin may increase the yield of maize 

 silage 40 to 45 per cent, and that of ear com from 50 to 60 per cent as a general 

 average." On coarse sandy soils in Wisconsin, -vs-ater alone produced much better 

 results than stable manure alone, but both together had much the greatest effect.* 

 In 1902, the yield during a cold wet season without irrigation -ftas greater than on 

 comparable plats in the hot dry season of 1901 with irrigation. It was also found 

 that the yield was greater on land that had not b.en irrigated the previous year, the 

 reduction being greatest on manured land. 8 



1 U. S. Dept. of Agr., O. E. S. BuL 119, p. 315. 



2 U. S. Dept of Agr., O. E. S. Bui. 119, p. 326. 

 » Wis. Rpt 1902, p. 187 



