1304 The Vegetable Industry in New York State 



state used for growing vegetables are deficient in lime and would 

 be improved by a liberal application of that material in some 

 form. The use of certain fertilizers, particularly ammonium 

 sulphate, dried blood, fish scrap, acid phosphate and muriate and 

 sulphate of potash tend to increase the acidity of the soil, and this 

 may, in a few years, give rise to much trouble if lime is not 

 present to counteract the acidity as formed ; with the use of lime 

 this tendency is of no consequence. 



Muck soils in this state are seldom in need of liming. At least 

 those underlaid with marl at no great depth are supplied with 

 lime from this source sufficient to keep acids neutralized. 



When land is in need of lime it is advisable to apply at least 

 two tons per acre of ground limestone or its equivalent as an 

 initial application, and one or two tons per acre may be added 

 every three to five years thereafter. In some cases it may be ad- 

 visable to make the first application two or three times as heavy. 



Ground limestone (or carbonate of lime from some source) is 

 the most desirable form of lime to use under the great majority 

 of conditions. This is especially true in regard to sandy soils and 

 in cases where liming is to be done only a short time previous to 

 planting the crop. Instances are on record of temporary injury 

 from use of caustic lime under these conditions. 



It is well to apply lime to the rough surface of the ground after 

 plowing and so let it be well mixed with the soil by the subsequent 

 operations of preparing the seed bed. 



