LIME AND OTHER SOIL AMENDMENTS 119 



Crops benefited by lime were not only increased in size, but were 

 ready for market earlier than where lime was omitted. Tobacco was 

 improved in the character of its ash by the use of lime. 



Lime is most beneficial in promoting the growth of legumes. This 

 results in building up the nitrogen supply and general fertility of the soil. 



Sources of Lime. — The principal source of lime is in the limestone 

 rocks and deposits that occur in great abundance in many sections of the 

 country. There are probably no states in which limestone formations 

 do not occur, although there are sometimes considerable sections including 

 a number of counties in which limestone deposits are not accessible. 



Deposits of marl occur in certain localities. They vary greatly in 

 composition and lime 

 content. Marl is gen- 

 erally in good physical 

 condition for applica- 

 tion to the soil, and 

 some of it contains 

 phosphorus and pot- 

 ash. 



Oyster shells that 

 accumulate in large 

 quantities in sea-coast 

 localities where oyster 

 farming is carried on 

 forms another valua- 

 ble source of lime. 

 Wood-ashes are about 

 one-third actual lime. 

 Three tons of wood- 

 ashes are, therefore, equal to one ton of pure burnt lime. Unleached ashes 

 contain 5 to 7 per cent of potash, and 1 to 2 per cent of phosphoric acid, 

 which materially increases their value for use on land. When ashes are 

 leached, most of the potash is lost, but the lime content is somewhat 

 increased. 



There are a number of forms of spent lime, which is a by-product of 

 different manufacturing establishments that use lime. Among these 

 may be mentioned dye-house lime, gas-house lime, lime from tanneries, 

 waste lime from soda-ash works, and waste lime from beet-sugar factories. 

 The value of these varies widely, and it is impossible to make a definite 

 statement concerning their value. They can frequently be secured at no 

 cost other than* the hauling. Whether or not they are worth hauling 

 depends upon circumstances. Frequently, they contain much water, 

 are in poor physical condition and will be more expensive in the long run 

 than to purchase first-class lime in good mechanical condition. Their 



1 Courtesy of International Agricultural Association, Cakdonia, N. Y. 



Beets Grown With and Without Lime. 1 



