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Stone-lime

Categories: APPLYING LIME

Stone or lump-lime is composed of the 56 per cent of a

pure limestone that gives value to the limestone. Forty-four pounds of

waste material were driven off in the burning. Where railway or wagon

hauls are costly, the purchase of stone-lime is indicated. There is

advantage in getting this lime in pulverized form, provided it can be

distributed in the soil before moisture from the air induces slaking

and consequent burs
ing of the packages. The necessity of rapid

handling has limited the popularity of pulverized unslaked lime, but no

other form is equal to it when it is wholly unslaked. Some

manufacturers grind the partially burned limestone often found in

kilns, and furnish goods little better than pulverized limestone.



The slaking of stone-lime should be done in a large pile, and the

distribution may be made with lime-spreaders. When the application is

fairly heavy, a manure-spreader does satisfactory work. A good

lime-spreader is to be desired, but care must be used to remove any

stones or similar impurities in the slaked lime when filling it. Such

spreaders are on the market.



The practice of slaking lime in small piles in the field is wasteful.

It is difficult to reduce all the lime to a fine powder and to make

even distribution over the surface. Any excess of water from rains

puddles some of the lime, destroying practically all its immediate

effectiveness. Distribution with shovels is necessarily imperfect.



The labor of slaking stone-lime and the difficulty in distribution are

two factors to be considered when selecting the form of lime to be

used. They may counter-balance in some instances the higher percentage

of actual lime when comparison is made with the hydrate. That is a

question to be decided by the buyer. He must be willing to use methods

that will secure even distribution. The prevailing practice, however,

of marketing the hydrate at a much higher price per ton than the

stone-lime should prevent sales to farmers. The price paid for ease of

handling is too great when purchase of the hydrate is made under such

circumstances. It is better to do the slaking at home, furnishing the

added weight of 32 per cent in water on the farm.



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