126 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



• Table taken from Snyder's " Chemistry of plant and animal life." 



That lime is important is shown by these tigiires. 



If you will examine most of these lands that have been in 

 grass for several years, you Avill find, instead of a thick turf 

 of desirable grasses, that the ground is occupied by daisies, 

 sorrel, five-finger, and also "mossed over." Wlien these are 

 present and clover is absent, or when the latter comes in 

 the first year and then dies out, it is a fairly reliable indica- 

 tion that such land will be benefited by lime, or ashes which 

 are about one-third lime, and have the power of overcoming 

 this acid condition. 



When we find our land showing any of the alcove indica- 

 tions, we apply lime. Formerly we purchased it in casks, 

 slaked it by means of water or by covering it with moist 

 earth, and then applied from 1,500 to 2,000 pounds to the 

 acre broadcast just before seeding time, thoroughly har- 

 rowing it in. Since farm labor has become such an item 

 with us we have been using lime which comes in 100-pound 

 sacks, ground fine and ready for use. As this is partially 

 hydrated, it is necessary to use somewhat more. Of this 

 agricultural lime we use 500 pounds more to the acre, ap- 

 plied in the same way. 



I would refer any who are interested further in this question 

 of liming to the excellent and extended work of the Rhode 

 Island Experiment Station, published in bulletin form. 



5. Careful Use of Manures and Fertilizers. 

 In this matter of the application of manures and fertilizers 

 there is much difference of opinion ;.I can only tell you what 

 our practice is, and the reasons for it. 



