CONSIDER THE SOIL 
13 
able for the growth of plants. About thirty per cent of the soils in 
the eastern half of Oklahoma are very acid and if the plants which 
are being grown are lime-loving plants, success cannot be secured 
without the addition of lime to these acid soils. 
"If the phosphorus content of the soil is increased by fertiliza¬ 
tion, if lime is applied where it is needed, and if the organic mat¬ 
ter content of the soil is maintained by the use of cottonseed meal 
or well-rotted farm manures, the probability of plant-food becom¬ 
ing a limiting factor in the growth of plants is very unlikely to 
occur. A good complete fertilizer for plants in Oklahoma would 
be 4-8-6, or 4-12-4, which is commonly used on potatoes or truck 
crops. The rate of application of this material should be about one 
to two pounds per hundred square feet of soil. In case of shrubs 
where the area is usually irrigated, a handful for each plant will 
give very good results.” 
Horace J. Harper, 
Professor of Soils , Oklahoma A. M. College 
Stillwater, Oklahoma. 
IV. The Three Types of Soil 
All soils have been grouped under three large general classes, 
determined by whether the specific base is lime or its antithesis, 
acid, or a balance of the two. This latter is termed neutral soil and 
is best for most flowers and vegetables. The intensity of acidity or 
alkalinity (lime) depends on the character of the soil, from what 
kind of rock it is derived as well as its subsoil and its degree of 
friability. 
In order to determine exactly what is lacking, chemically, to 
insure productivity, a soil analysis by the litmus-paper test (see 
page 14), is often of great value. However, generally speaking, 
this is not necessary, except when one desires to grow a lime- 
loving plant in acid or neutral soil or vice versa (for in the classi- 
Neutral 
Soil 
Soil 
Analysis 
