IMPORTANCE OF LIME.

Northland Age, Volume 25, Issue 15, 6 August 1925, Page 7

IMPORTANCE OF LIME.

(Published by Arrangement) The satisfactory results evident from the use of lime have chiefly been derived through the use of quantities far in excess of that necessary to meet the immediate needs of the soil. Recent soil experiments have proved that relatively small applications applied once or twice, each rotation, are much more economical than heavy applications applied at longer intervals. The response of most of our soils to lime, and the profit derived from its use are fully emphasised by the results generally obtained. Lime is one of the four essentials to the production of actual growth—the others are phosphoric acid, potash, and nitrogen, although excess of the latter in the soil produces rank growth, without the corresponding feeding value. Carbonate of lime meets most of the needs of plant life, and is the form in which lime in the soil exists. It favours the growth of legumes, conserves humus, reduces acidity, liberates phosphates and potash, improves soil conditions and consequently feeding values. Carbonate of lime and super take the place of basic slag to advantage. Cattle prefer limed pastures, and natural limestone lands are always rich feeding localities. It is not necessary to have the bulk of lime ground particularly fine, as this entails increased expenditure without corresponding value being obtained. There are to be found farmers who consider that lime is not a manure, but every substance that effects plaHt life is classed as a manure. If the lime content of one's land is low, it pays to use more lime in the first year, and follow with lighter annual applications. It will be found to be more beneficial as a general rule to spend, say, 5/per acre on carbonate of lime, and 15/on super or other manures, than 20/- on any particular one, as the carbonate checks leaching of phosphoric acid. Comprehensive experiments with burnt lime and raw ground lime stone, have proven that the greatest yield is secured from the latter. As a result of long research, it is quite evident that there is no one soil condition more prevalent in humid localties, and none that has a greater controlling influence on the growth of crop-producing plants than soil acidity, the remedy for which is liming. Auckland Weekly News.