CROPS AND SOIL IMPROVEMENT 



in distribution are two factors to be considered 

 when selecting the form of lime to be used. They 

 may counter-balance in some instances the higher 

 percentage of actual lime when comparison is 

 made with the hydrate. That is a question to 

 be decided by the buyer. He must be willing to 

 use methods that will secure even distribution. 

 The prevailing practice, however, of marketing 

 the hydrate at a much higher price per ton than 

 the stone-lime should prevent sales to farmers. 

 The price paid for ease of handling is too great 

 when purchase of the hydrate is made under such 

 circumstances. It is better to do the slaking at 

 home, furnishing the added weight of 32 per cent 

 in water on the farm. 



Ashes. Hard-wood ashes have ceased to 

 have much importance as a source of lime for 

 land, but their use is held in high esteem even by 

 those who regard fertilizers as mere stimulants 

 and doubt the efficiency of lime. Hard-wood 

 ashes, unleached, clean and dry, are valuable for 

 acid soils. Their content of potash, which is 

 variable and averages about 4 per cent, formerly 

 was given all the credit for the soil improvement 

 and increased clover growth that resulted from 

 their use. Tests with other carriers of potash 



[30] 



