Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1912 — LIME FOR SOILS [ARTICLE]

LIME FOR SOILS

Crop Growth Indicative of Condition of the Soil—Lime is Important for Growing Leguminous Crops—Marw ure Spreader May Be Used for Applying Lime Mr. O. C. Rostel, Marble, Washington, writes as follows: “Please let me know if our mountains of lime rock here in Stevens county could be utilized for commercial fertilizer by grinding it fine without first burning.” I’nburned but finely ground limestone is best for correcting soil acidity. The use of lime on soils is beneficial in places where calcium is deficient. Some crops require more calcium than others. This is especially true of clovers, alfalfa, and other leguminous crops.

Whether the soil requires calcium depends upon its condition, and this can be determined by one of two methods either by a close examination of the plant growth or by the use of litmus pal er. If you find horse sorrel present in large quantities it indicates that your soil requires calcium; also, if clovers do not grow well that is an indication that calcium is lacking. By the use of litmus papers, which may be purchased at almost any drug store, you will be able to determine whether your soil is acid. Take a small quantity of moist soil and press it around the paper for ten or fifteen minutes. If the blue paper is turned to a pinkish or reddish color, it will indicate that your soil is acid and an application of lime will be beneficial,. There are several (at least ten) forms of commercial lime on the market. The best form to use is finely ground limestone. First: because it is cheapest, and, second: the effect on the humus is not so serious as with other forms of lime—especially caustic or quick lime. The action of finely ground limestone in its attack on the vegetable matter is less noticeable than with, other forms of lime. The amounts to apply depend on how badly your soil requires calcium, and also upon the available supply of limestone. We have known of instances where as high as eight tons have been applied to the acre with good results, and as low as a ton or a ton and a half has been used very satisfactorily. The usual amount varies from three to six tons to the acre. This material should be supplied to the Surface after the seed bed is prepared, and harrowed in by the use of a peg-tooth or disk harrow. It may be scattered by the use of a manure spreader; in fact this is the usual machine for applying finely ground limestone.