SPECIAL FERTILIZERS. LIME 



77 



TURNIPS 

 Same as for beets. 



WATERMELONS 

 Same as for cucumbers. 



WHEAT 



Lime for the Land 



Of late years the old custom of liming the land has been revived. 

 It is now found that lime, or other alkali, is needed to neutralize the 

 acidity of certain soils. 



To determine whether a soil is acid, and therefore probably in need of 

 lime (Wheeler). 



By litmus paper (to be secured at drug store). To half a cup of 

 soil add water until it is like thick porridge, and then insert blue litmus 

 paper without handling the end introduced into the soil. After an 

 hour or two, remove and rinse only the lower end. If this end is in- 

 tensely reddened, liming is probably desirable. The color is pinkish if 

 much acid vegetable matter is present; but if it is not present, the 

 color may be brick-red. 



By ammonia water. - To a tablespoonful of soil in half a glass of 

 water add a teaspoonful or more of dilute ammonia water ; if the liquid 



