Kind of Lime to Apply 



The principal sources of lime are raw limestone rock, air-slaked lime 

 hydrated lime, land plaster, oyster shells, wood ashes, natural phos- 

 phates, gas and dye-house lime, basic slag and marl. 



The writer favors raw limestone rock, finely ground, which contains a 

 high per cent of calcium oxide (Ca 0). 



Burned or caustic lime is best for heavy, peaty soils which contain an 

 excessive amount of nitrogen. 



Hydrated and air-slaked lime are favored on account of their light 

 weight, especially in sections where freight rates are excessive. 



Phosphate rock contains lime as well as phosphoric acid. The cost, 

 however, is too high to make it economical to use for liming purposes. 



Wood ashes contain from 35 to 50 per cent of lime, besides consider- 

 able magnesia and potash. The farmer should save all the wood ashes 

 and place them on the ground as a top dressing. Ashes are especially 

 fine for fruit trees. 



Land plaster contains lime, and is manufactured from gypsum. It is 

 not as beneficial as lime rock to sweeten soil. When land plaster is 

 sprinkled throughout manure piles or gutters or in stalls, it prevents the 

 waste of ammonia. When so mixed and applied to the land, the effect 

 is fine. 



Marl compares favorably with air-slaked lime. It is especially bene- 

 ficial to light, sandy soils on account of the clay it contains. 



When to Apply Lime 



The chemical and physical action of lime being slow, it should be 

 applied several weeks before the crop is planted. If the land is intended 

 for potatoes, the lime should be applied the previous year. It is a good 

 plan to apply lime after the ground is plowed in the fall and immediately 

 disc or harrow in. It can be applied safely any season of the year on 

 clover or pasture. If the pasture or meadow is disced after the applica- 

 tion is made, it prevents in a great measure, washing away by rains. 



Commercial fertilizers and yard manures should not be mixed with 

 lime. It is best to apply the manure several weeks before the lime is put 

 on the gi'ound. If alfalfa, peas or beans are to be planted, no serious 

 harm will result if lime is applied within a few days before sowing. 



How to Apply Lime 



Lime in any form should be distributed with a machine spreader in 

 order to insure an even distribution. 



An excessive amount in one place is harmful and none in another place 

 causes an uneven stand. Hence, it is not advisable to spread with a 

 shovel. 



Some difficulty has been experienced in devising a machine that will 

 sow lime under adverse conditions. By adverse conditions, I mean 



