LIME FERTILIZERS IQI 



been seeded. Both slaked lime and quicklime 

 should be applied some little time before seeding 

 and not to the crop. Tne action of quicklime upon 

 organic matter is so rapid that it destroys vegetation. 

 Slaked lime is less injurious to vegetation. 



254. Pulverized Lime Rock. In some localities 

 pulverized lime rock is used. It may be applied as a 

 top-dressing in almost unlimited amounts. It is most 

 beneficial on light, sandy soils, where it performs the 

 function of fine clay as well as being beneficial in its 

 chemical action. It is also beneficial on acid sods. 

 Not all soils are alike responsive to applications of 

 limestone, and before using, it is best to determine 

 to what extent it will be beneficial. There are no 

 conditions where limestone is injurious to soil or crop, 

 and it is frequently very beneficial. 



255. Marl. Underlying beds of peat, deposits of 

 marl are occasionally found. Marl is a mixture of 

 disintegrated limestone and clay, and contains varia- 

 ble amounts of calcium carbonate, phosphoric acid, 

 and potash. When peat and marl are found together 

 they may be used jointly with manure as described in 

 Section 169. Many sandy lands in the vicinity of peat 

 and marl deposits would be greatly improved, both 

 physically and chemically, by the use of these materials. 



256. Physical Action of Lime . The addition of 

 lime fertilizers to sandy soils improves their general 

 physical condition. Heavy clays lose their plasticity 

 when limed ; the fine clay particles are cemented 

 and act as sand, which improves the mechanical 



