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Duration Of Effect

Categories: APPLYING LIME

Soil acidity is not permanently corrected by a

lime application. The original supply failed to prove lasting, and the

relatively small amount given the land in an application will become

exhausted. The duration depends upon the degree of acidity, the nature

of the soil and its crops, and the size of the application. Experiments

at the Pennsylvania experiment station have shown that an application

only in sufficient amo
nt to correct the existing acidity at the time

of application will not maintain an alkaline condition in the soil,

even for a few months. There must be some excess at hand to unite with

acids as formed later in the crop-rotation, or limings must be given at

short intervals of time to maintain alkaline conditions.



Experience causes us to assume that enough lime should be applied at

one time to meet all requirements for a single crop-rotation of four,

five, or six years, and, wherever lime is cheap, the unpleasant

character of the labor inclines one to make the application in

sufficient amount to last through two such rotations. It is a

reasonable assumption, however, that more waste results from the

heavier applications at long intervals than from light applications at

short intervals. In any event need will return, and soil acidity will

again limit income if applications do not continue to be made.



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