THE NEED OF LIME 



border to insure even soil conditions. A bushel 

 of lump-lime, weighing eighty pounds, should be 

 slaked and evenly distributed over the surface of 

 the plat of ground. It can be broadcasted by 

 hand if a spreader is not available, and mixed with 

 the surface soil while in a powdered state. The 

 plat of ground should be left as firm as the re- 

 mainder of the field, so that all conditions may be 

 even for the test. The appearance of the clover 

 the following year will determine whether lime 

 was needed or not. There is no reason why any 

 one should remain in doubt regarding the lime 

 requirement of his fields. If income is limited 

 by such a cause, the fact should be known as soon 

 as possible. 



Duration of Effect. Soil acidity is not per- 

 manently corrected by a lime application. The 

 original supply failed to prove lasting, and the 

 relatively small amount given the land in an ap- 

 plication will become exhausted. The duration 

 depends upon the degree of acidity, the nature 

 of the soil and its crops, and the size of the appli- 

 cation. Experiments at the Pennsylvania ex- 

 periment station have shown that an application 

 only in sufficient amount to correct the existing 

 acidity at the time of application will not maintain 



