WHEN AND HOW TO APPLY LIME 



245 



material. Coarse material may be used for subsequent applica- 

 tions. For quick results, lump lime, hydrated lime or finely 

 divided air-slaked lime may be used. Pulverized limestone, marl, 

 ground shells, or marble dust is usually preferred on sandy soils. 

 Lump and air-slaked lime may also be used, but never in excessive 

 amounts. On acid peats and mucks, limip lime, hydrated lime and 

 fine air-slaked lime are good. 



Ordinarily, the best agricultural lime to use is that material 

 which is finely divided and which contains the most lime, or car- 

 bonate equivalent, in a dollar's purchase (all cost and labor to 

 get it applied to be considered). It is important, therefore, to 

 know the moisture and lime, or carbonate, content of any material 

 before buying. Whenever agricultural lime is secured through 

 transportation, it is cheapest to purchase it in carload lots. 



Amounts of Lime to Apply. — The following rates of appUcation 

 to the acre may serve as guides in liming: 



' One ton pulverized limestone, marl 



or shell dust (preferred) 

 500 to 1000 pounds lump Lime or 1 



ton air-slaked lime 

 Two to 4 tons pulverized limestone, 



marl or shell dust (preferred) 

 One to IM toJ^s lump lime, or from 



2 to 3 tons air-slaked lime 



' One to 13^ tons pulverized limestone, 



rCif Qlio-Tif ar^iMi'+TrJ or any otker good gradeof carbonate 



Ut sngnt acidity Q^e-half to three-fourths ton lump 



[ or hydrated lime 



' Two to 4 tons pulverized limestone, 

 or other carbonate. (Heavy appli- 

 cations for crops hke alfalfa, clover 

 and peas) 

 One and one-half to 2 tons lump 

 lime. (Especially good for clay 

 loams and clays) 



The coarser or more wet the material, the heavier should be 

 the apphcation. 



Poor acid soils are in greater need of lime than rich acid soils. 



When and How to Apply Lime. — In Hming it is well to remember 

 that the place for lime is in the soil and not on top of it; and the 

 more thoroughly it is mixed with the soil, the better the results. 

 Commonly, the full effect does not show until two to four years 

 after the lime appUcation is made. Any rational method whereby 

 hme may become thoroughly incorporated in the soil is recom- 

 mended (Fig. 160). 



fOf sHght acidity 



On light soils (per-j 

 acre) 



^ Of strong acidity < 



On the heavier soils 

 (per acre) 



^ Of strong acidity 



