80 CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS ; AND LIME 



All shipments except Kiln Slaked shall be accompanied by a state- 

 ment showing (1) proper class name and (2) guaranteed analj'sis, in 

 which the respective percentages of calcium and magnesium oxides are 

 given. 



Package shipments to show class and analysis on each package. 



Bulk shipments to have class and analysis statement attached either 

 to invoice or imier side of the car. 



All lime to be sold by weight cwt. or ton. 



Analyses to be those at kiln, and guaranteed. 



Other tests for the need of lime (Fippin). 



There is no simple method for accurately determining the need of 

 lime. The use of strips of blue litmus in the wet soil and their distinct 

 change to a pink color in a half -hour is one common test that is indica- 

 tive of such need. Strips of blue and red litmus paper may be placed 

 in the bottom of a drinking glass and covered with white filter paper or 

 blotting paper on which is placed the soil to be tested. The soil is then 

 moistened with clear rain water until the paper becomes damp. This 

 is a more exact test than the direct application of litmus paper to the 

 soil. 



Another method of determining the presence of free bases is to put on 

 the soil a drop of muriatic acid diluted four or five times. If there is 

 any perceptible bubbling, or effervescence, this indicates the presence 

 of sufficient lime. Should lime be shown in the subsoil but none in the 

 soil, a moderate application of lime is likely to be beneficial. 



The best indication of the need for lime is the type of plant growth 

 that the soil bears. The vigorous gro\\^h of lime-loving plants, such 

 as alfalfa, clover, and the scab of potatoes, indicates the presence of 

 sufficient lime ; while the absence or weak growth of plants of this kind, 

 and the predominance of such plants as horse sorrel, white daisy, and 

 redtop, indicate a need for lime. 



