Scientific Agriculture. 1S2 



In some sections where marl is used extensively it is spread upon the 

 surface and plowed under, turning a furrow about 2 inches deep. The more common 

 method where marling is practised is to plow the land and then cart on the marl, 

 dumping it in heaps at such intervals that it can be spread conveniently with a 

 shovel. If the marl is not sufficiently fine, but is of such a nature that it crumbles 

 upon exposure to the air, the heaps may be allowed to remain for some time before 

 spreading, and still further time may be allowed to elapse before the operation of 

 harrowing is begun. Sometimes a "clod crusher'' or "bush harrow" may be 

 employed to advantage to break up the lumps before harrowing. A most import- 

 ant point to be observed in applying lime of all kinds is to mix it with the 

 soil as thoroughly as possible, the finer the particles the better being the result. 



Pulverized Burned Lime or lime which is already slaked may be spread 

 upon the soil directly from wagons or carts, or dumped in heaps and then spread 

 with a shovel, though the most satisfactory plan in such cases is to employ an 

 ordinary grain drill with fertilizer attachment or a lime spreader. In the use of 

 such spreaders it is generally advisable to attach some bui'lap or old bagging to the 

 sides and rear of the machine in such a way that it will trail upon the ground. If 

 the machine is so equipped and the burlap is weighted with a piece of wood at the 

 rear, much of the unpleasantness connected with spreading lime is avoided. For 

 those familiar with the nature of lime and its use it is unnecessary to state that it is 

 well, if possible, to apply it on a quiet day. The eyes may be protected by glasses 

 and the nostrils and mouth by devices vised by those who run thrashing machines. 



The only other form of lime in connection Avith the application of which any 

 particular difficulty might be encountered is quick or burned lime in lump form t 

 Where only small quantities of such lime are to be used it is frequently immersed 

 for a moment in water, in a basket, and emptied into a wagon body. The following 

 day it will be slaked sufficiently for use. Where larger quantities are used, and a 

 lime spreader is at hand, the lime is sometimes water slaked in large piles on the 

 border of the field and then distributed. To accomplish the water slaking in a 

 satisfactory manner, from 2 to 2\ pails of water should be sprinkled over each cask 

 of lime as it is emptied upon the pile, and finally the whole mass should be very 

 thoroughly covered with soil. In a few days practically all of the lime will be 

 in a fine condition suitable for spreading. In loading it into the spreader care 

 should be taken to first remove the soil, so as to avoid its clogging the machine. 

 If the lime spreader itself is not fitted with a screen, the lime should 

 first be carefully screened for the purpose of removing any hard lumps which 

 may remain, due to imperfect slaking or burning. These lumps may be further 

 slaked by themselves. 



A practise preferred by many, and probably the most feasible one where 

 a lime spreader is not to be had, is to place the burnt lime in piles of from 

 35 to 40 pounds each at suitable intervals (heaps of this size 20 feet apart in 

 each direction furnish about 2 tons per acre), and cover the piles with moist 

 earth. In a few days the lime is so thoroughly slaked that it can be spread 

 directly with a shovel. Provided the soil is dry, from one-fourth to half a pail 

 of water (or in extreme cases even more) should be sprinkled over each pile 

 immediately before it is covered with earth. In this case, as in all others where 

 slaked lime is employed, it is important that it be harrowed into the soil 

 immediately after spreading. In no case should it be exposed long to the air 

 before harrowing, as it is liable to cake and form a sort of mortar to such an 

 extent that it is impossible to mix it as thoroughly with the soil as before. 



FORMS OF LIME USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES. 



Caustic ("quick" or "burnt") lime obtained by burning oyster shells, 

 limestone, etc., is the most economical form in which lime can be bought, in all 



