CHAPTER XIX 

 LIMING THE SOIL » 



While soil acidity is a condition but imperfectly under- 

 stood, most investigators are agreed that it is due to a lack or 

 inactivity of certain bases, especially those that tend to reduce 

 the hydrogen ion concentration of the soil solution and to 

 give the soil an alkaline reaction. The correction of acidity 

 obviously lies in the addition of compounds which carry the 

 necessary bases in such forms that the acidity may be partially 

 or wholly alleviated. 



The base most commonly used to correct acidity is calcium, 

 although magnesium is often applied, especially in connec- 



1 The following publications may be of interest : 



Hopkins, C. G., Ground Limestone for Acid Soils; 111. Agr. Exp. Sta., 

 Circ. 110, 1907. 



Ellett, W. B., Lime for Virginia Farms; Va. Agr. Exp. Sta., Bui. 187, 

 1910. 



Brown, P. E., Bacteriological Studies of Field Soils: The Effects of 

 Lime; la. Agr. Exp. Sta., Res. Bui. 5, 1912. 



Whitson, A. R., and Weir, W. W., Soil Acidity and Liming; Wis. Agr. 

 Exp. Sta., Bui. 230, 1913. 



Frear, W., Sour Soils and Liming; Penn. Dept. Agr., Bui. 261, 

 1915. 



Miller, M. F., and Krusekopf, H. H., Agricultural Lime; Mo. 4g r - 

 Exp. Sta., Bui. 146, 1917. 



Mooers, C. A., Ground Limestone and Prosperity; Tenn. Agr. Exp. 

 Sta., Bui. 119, 1917. 



Shorey, E. C, The Principles of the Liming of Soils; U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Farmers' Bui. 921, 1918. 



McCool, M. M., and Millar, C. E., Some General Information on Lime 

 and Its Uses and Functions in Soils; Mich. Agr. Exp. Sta., Special Bui. 

 91, 1918. 



Agee, Alva., The Bight Use of Lime in Soil Improvement; New York, 

 1919. 



Hudelson, R. R., Keeping Soils Productive; Mo. Agr. Exp. Sta., Circ. 

 102, 1921. 



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