LIME AND OTHER SOIL AMENDMENTS 109 



Some apply the lime and manure together. When the limestone is to be 

 applied at the rate of three tons per acre, 600 pounds on each load of 

 manure in case of ten loads of manure to the acre, gives the desired amount. 



Another method is to put a layer of straw in the bottom of the manure 

 spreader, set the spreader for its minimum rate of distribution, and load 

 in the amount of lime that will give the desired rate of application. For 

 distribution at the rate of three tons per acre, this will generally require 

 not more than one ton. 



Slaking Lime. Lime in large quantities may be satisfactorily slaked 

 by applying about two and one-half pails of water to each barrel of lime 



A LIME CRUSHING OUTFIT SUITABLE FOR THE FARMER. 1 



as it is unloaded in the field. Eventually the whole stack should be 

 covered with soil. In a few days all of the lime will be thoroughly slaked, 

 and in a fine, dry condition suitable for spreading. 



Crushing vs. Burning Lime. The use of finely pulverized raw lime- 

 stone has created a demand for machinery for crushing lime rock. There 

 are now on the market quite a number of portable machines suitable 

 for farm use. In some localities where limestone is easily accessible it 

 can be quarried and finely pulverized with these machines at a cost of 

 $1 to $1.50 per ton. This puts it within the reach of farmers at a mod- 

 erate price. 



Lime is burnt in several ways. The simplest way on the farm is 

 to make a stack of lime rock with alternating layers of wood or coal. 

 This is built in a conical form with an intake for air at the bottom and 

 an opening at the top for ventilation. The stack is covered with earth 

 and the fire lighted. 



1 Courtesy of New York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, N. Y. Bulletin 400. 



