Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1912 — Lime Requirements. [ARTICLE]

Lime Requirements.

Dr. William Frear, who probably has made a more thorough study of the limestones of Pennsylvania than any other man, discussed the numerous* effects of lime upon the soil. He stated that the chief use of lime today lb to neutralize sour or acid soils, and this soli acidity Is produced by the consumption of lime by plants, the formation of acid substances in plants, the removal of lime by drainage, and a variety of chemical changes in the soil. He stated that at the Pennsylvania station land under 24 different systems of fertilization had shown the tendency toward soil acidity, and this applied to land which was manured every other year as. well as to land which received commercial fertilisers. He urged that ground limestone should be very fine to ljp immediately effective, and that the more costly hydrated limes should not contain a considerable percentage of air-slaked lime, which is less effective, pound for pound.