THE SOIL AND ITS IMPROVEMENT 85 



it does, there is plenty of lime present. Nearly all soils will 

 need liming. This may be done in the winter time or just 

 after the spring plowing. Lime is very beneficial to most 

 garden soils in a number of ways. (1) It aids in the decay 

 of vegetable matter which has been plowed in. (2) It helps 

 liberate plant-food in the soils, so that growing crops may use 

 it. (3) It hastens the growth of bacteria in the soil. (4) 

 Heavy clay soils are made more open and porous and are much 

 better suited to garden work. (5) Light sandy soils are made 

 more compact and hold moisture better. (6) The sourness 



Fig. 55. — Equivalents in different forms of lime. When lime is used on garden 

 soils, it is best not to grow potatoes or other root crops there until a ye^r or two 

 afterward because of the danger of scab disease. The danger is least when the 

 carbonate is used. 



of the soil is destroyed by the action of the lime upon the acids 

 present. (7) Lime is a direct plant-food for members of the 

 clover family, such as alfalfa, true clovers, peas, beans and 

 others (Pig. 55). 



There are a few garden crops on which the action of lime 

 is not beneficial. Too much lime in the soil is found to injure 

 watermelons, potatoes, beets and a few other root crops. This 

 gives one reason why the crops in the garden should be some- 

 what classified and placed in definite sections of the garden, 

 rather than having the several kinds of crops all found in all 

 parts of the garden. 



