146 Fertilizers 



There are some plant-diseases, notably potato scab, 

 which thrive far better under alkaline soil conditions, but 

 in no case is the disease caused by the application of lime. 

 The bacteria or fungi which cause the disease must be 

 present in . the soil or subsequently introduced. Lime 

 merely creates conditions favorable for the spread and 

 development of the disease-causing organism and for the 

 development of the disease. 



It might be added that the character of native vegeta- 

 tion is greatly influenced by the presence or absence of 

 lime in soils just as farm crops are influenced. Chestnut 

 trees, rhododendrons, arbutus, blueberry, huckleberry 

 and many other wild plants prefer soils not rich in lime ; 

 while, on the other hand, leguminous crops, alfalfa, clovers, 

 soy beans, cow peas, beans, peas, wistaria, locust trees and 

 the like, prefer soils exceptionally well supplied with lime. 

 The common weed known as sheep sorrel, and many crops 

 including the watermelon, strawberry and cranberry, 

 thrive on soils distinctly acid. 



THE USE OF LIME 



A knowledge of the forms of lime and the action of lime 

 in a soil is contingent with the efficient use of lime which 

 is to a greater or less extent an individual problem with 

 each farmer because soils, crops and farming systems 

 vary so widely, but there are a few fundamental principles 

 which should be thoroughly understood by every farmer. 

 These principles involve a number of questions the most 

 important of which are: do soils need lime; how much 

 lime should be used; how and when should it be 

 applied; and what form of lime is best suited to exist- 

 ing conditions? 



