126 



SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



rainy weather frequently prove disastrous by puddling the lime and causing 

 it to get into bad physical condition. 



Another method is to place the burnt lump lime in large stacks at the 

 end of the field, and allow them to remain for several months until air 

 slaked. From these stacks the lime is hauled either by wagon, manure 

 spreader or lime spreader, and applied to the field. When the lime con- 

 tains lumps the manure spreader gives best results in distribution. By 

 screening, a lime spreader or fertilizer spreader with large capacity may be 

 used with good results. Whatever method is used, an effort should be 

 made to obtain uniform distribution at the desired rate at the minimum 

 cost of time and labor. When slaked lime is spread with the lime spreader, 



A Modern Lime Spreader in Operation. 1 



a canvas may be attached to the spreader which will reach to the ground, 

 and by tacking a strip at the lower edge to cause it to drag on the ground, 

 the disagreeable effect of the dust is largely overcome. Goggles for the 

 eyes and a wet sponge for the mouth may prevent some of the disagree- 

 able effects to the operator. 



In the central states where pulverized raw limestone is extensively 

 used, both manure spreaders and lime spreaders are found satisfactory 

 in its distribution. One successful farmer finds that the work is most 

 cheaply and effectively done by using a short-tongue distributor hitched 

 close behind a wagon loaded with limestone. The limestone is shoveled 

 into the distributor as the load is drawn across the field. On loose, plowed 

 earth four horses are required to pull the load. In this way there is no 

 extra handling of the lime, and the distribution is completed as soon as 

 the wagon is unloaded. Many others have had good results with the 

 manure spreader. Several methods have been practiced with this machine. 



1 Courtesy of The Webb Publishing Company, St. Paul, Minn. From "Field Management and Crop 

 Rotations," by Parker. 



