This difficulty can be obviated by slaking the quicklime to a 

 powder before applying. Sometimes this is accomplished by dis- 

 tributing lump lime in piles of about fifty pounds each every two 

 rods on the plowed field. 



This gives an application of about one ton to the acre, which will 

 be equivalent in its effect to two tons of the finest ground limestone. 



To each pile is added about three gallons of water and it is then 

 covered with soil and allowed to remain a few weeks, until the lime 

 has become well slaked. It can then be spread uniformly over the 

 soil with a shovel. 



Lime A Business Proposition 



The kind of lime used is principally a business proposition. Al- 

 most any form of lime will neutralize soil acids if applied in a large 

 amount. But it is a matter of judgment to get your soil sweetened 

 for alfalfa at the lowest cost. 



The amount of lime required depends upon the degree of soil 

 acidity. The Truog Soil Acidity Tester determines this accurately 

 for all practical purposes. The litmus test does so to a certain ex- 

 tent. If the paper turns a distinct pink rapidly the soil is generally 

 very sour and will require from two to four tons of the best grade of 

 ground limestone, marl or air-slaked lime, or one to two tons of 

 fresh lump lime. If coarse ground limestone is used three to six 

 tons may be necessary. In all events it is always better to apply 

 too much than too little. 



At Least Two Tons to the Acre 



Not long ago I saw a thick stand of alfalfa that was sickly and yellow. 

 It did not grow. The soil had been limed and inoculated. One and 

 a half tons of ground limestone had been put on each acre the fall 

 before the alfalfa was seeded. We tested the soil. It was still sour. 



I asked the farmer what grade of limestone he used. 



' ' I have a little pile of it left over here, ' ' he replied. " 1 1 's ra ther coarse. 



Yes, it was coarse. A good deal of it was larger than the end of 

 your finger. He should have used at least four tons of this grade 

 of limestone The increased yield would have paid the extra cost. 



You cannot apply too much lime for alfalfa. Twenty tons to the 

 acre would do no harm, but of course dollars and cents will limit the 

 application to about the amount necessary for the neutralization of 

 the soil acids that prevent the proper development of the alfalfa. 



Do not be Stingy with Lime 



I do not believe it ever pays to be stingy with lime. Two tons of 

 the best ground limestone, or the equivalent thereof in other forms 

 of lime, is none too much for any soil that is sour. The soil may 

 require only one ton of lime at the time of application, but the extra 

 ton will make the effect last over a greater number of years and will 

 insure vigorous alfalfa. 



When to Apply Lime 



On the heavier soils lime is best applied in the fall. On sandy 

 soils, which leach rapidly, liming in the spring is best. It is always 

 well to give the lime a month or more time to act on the soil and 

 correct some of the acidity before the alfalfa is planted. This is 

 not always necessary, but it is advisable. 



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