246 AGRICULTURE 



needed may do positive harm, the advice of your county 

 agricultural agent or some other agricultural expert should 

 be sought before purchasing. An expert, after a survey of 



The better way. Manure carrier and spreader. 



your soil, will be able not only to suggest the best kind for 

 local needs, but also the amount that should be used. 



5. The Use of Lime on Soils 



Lime can hardly be called a fertilizer, since it does not 

 contain any of the elements in which the soil is generally 

 lacking. Yet because of its action on certain other elements 

 of the soil it is necessary to plant production. When lime 

 does not already exist in the soil it must be added in com- 

 mercial form if the fertility of the soil is to be maintained. 

 The purpose of lime is to cure the soil of its acid condition. 



Acid soils. All soils have a tendency to become sour, 

 or acid. This acidity comes about in several different ways : 

 in the decay of organic matter in the soil, certain acids are 



