28 Diseases of Truck Crops 



from 1500 to 2000 pounds of burned lime per acre. 

 This is generally considered a moderate application. 

 For sands and sandy loams it would be safe to apply 

 1000 to 1500 pounds. If the soil is known to be very 

 acid or to contain large amounts of organic matter, 

 heavier application of lime may be given. Lime 

 is sold as ground limestone or as burned lime. A ton 

 of burned limestone will yield 1120 pounds. If 

 enough water is added, it will weigh 1480 pounds. 

 If 1 1 20 pounds of burned lime or the 1480 

 pounds of hydrated lime are allowed to air slack, 

 the weight of both will be 2000 pounds. Air-slacked 

 lime has the same composition as ground lime- 

 stone. In buying hydrated lime we do not get 

 any better quality, but merely pay an excess in 

 freight for the amount of water it contains. The 

 cost of delivery should determine the kind of lime 

 to buy. 



Wood ashes may often be used instead of lime to 

 correct soil acidity. Hardwood ashes contain about 

 30 per cent, lime and 60 per cent, potash. Two and a 

 half tons of good wood ashes are equivalent to one 

 ton of burned lime to overcome soil acidity. Leached 

 ashes have lost their potash and its lime is in the form 

 of a hydrate or carbonate. 



Magnesium lime which contains high percentages 

 of magnesia is not objectionable for use. In fact, 

 a ton of limestone which contains magnesium car- 

 bonate is more effective on acid soils than a ton of 

 limestone without magnesium carbonate. Lime 

 should be applied only when the acidity of the soil 



