372 NATUEE AND PEOPBRTIES OF SOILS 



Of the general and specific influences of lime just men- 

 tioned the correction of acidity is the one commonly ascribed 

 to it in the popular mind. The mere correction of the soil 

 reaction, however, is probably no more important than a 

 number of other direct and indirect influences of lime. It is 

 evident that the benefits that may result from liming a soil 

 will accrue from a combination of influences rather than from 

 one effect alone. 



203. Crop response to liming. — ^Much experimental work 

 has been done in various parts of the world in determining 

 the relative response of different crops to liming and the rea- 

 son for certain well-known differences. As might be expected, 

 the results, while in close agreement as to some crops, show 

 striking disagreements as to others. This is to be expected, 

 since the varying conditions of the experiments would have a 

 marked influence on the response of the plants under con- 

 sideration. 



Of legume crops, alfalfa and red and white clovers respond 

 most markedly to lime. The response of soybeans, garden 

 peas and field peas, while less, is still quite noticeable. Alsike 

 clover is more tolerant to acidity than red clover and, as the 

 soil of a region declines in active bases, it is common to find 

 it gradually replacing the latter. Japanese clover, cowpeas, 

 vetch, and field beans do not seem to be greatly benefited by 

 lime. 



Of the non-legumes that are favorably influenced by lime, 

 blue-grass, maize, timothy, oats, barley, wheat, and sorghum 

 may be mentioned. Rye is less benefited by liming than is 

 barley. Eed-top, cotton, strawberries, and potatoes do not 

 seem to be particularly stimulated by liming. Certain plants, 

 such as blueberries, watermelons, and rhododendron are ac- 

 tually injured by the use of lime. 



There are a number of reasons why plants may be benefited 

 by lime, these reasons being numerous and complex enough 

 to account for the differences in response among common 



