ON MANURES. 1*25 



As lime after some months exposure is converted into * t5 properties. 

 chalk, it must have similar effects with regard to supplying 

 calcareous earth : but it will not give tenacity to sand like 

 marie, or friability to clay like chalk. When laid on in 

 its caustic state, it destroys the spontaneous growth of 

 soils: and this is a very valuable quality, where this growth 

 is a nuisance. The truth of this observation is visible on 

 limed moors. 



The most material distinction in the application of lime Appltcafiaa. 

 is that of spreading it fresh in its most caustic state, or 

 keeping it till it is slacked, and has reabsorbed more or less 

 carbonic acid. 



On all soils in a state of nature, and greatly abounding 

 with undecayed vegetables, which are required to be speed- 

 ily destroyed, it should be spread hot from the kiln, as it is 

 termed ; that is, jo its most caustic state. In other cases it 

 is slacked, before it is spread. Upon waste lands the caus- 

 ticity lias an evident and necessary effect'; but not on culti- 

 vated lands, which this quality of the substance while de- 

 prived of its carbonic acid would tend to prejudice rather 

 than improve. 



A truly practical husbandman of great experience. Mr. 

 Craike, of Arbigland, gives directions for the application, 

 which merit attention. " Let the whole quantity of lime, 

 intended to be used on any given field of moderate size, be 

 laid in one heap, where water etui be had most conveniently, 

 X.et it be there thoroughly slacked ; and immediately after 

 it is cold, which it will be in a day or two, fill the carts, and 

 spread the lime out of them with shovels equally over the 

 surface. The more common method of laying it down in 

 small heaps over the whole field, to slack by rain, is very 

 erroneous. It is liable to get too much rain, which, in 

 place of reducing it into a tine powder, converts it into a . 

 running mortar, in which state it will neither spread equally 

 nor mix with the soil*." And for the same reason, Mr. 

 Wight remarks, both the ground and the lime should be 

 quite dry at the time of spreading. In Dumfriesshire, quick 

 lime being compared with some that had lain in a heap for 



* Trans, erf the Dirnif- Sec. K . II, p. 3*, 



several 



