49 Mr Menteath on the Geology of Nithsdale. 



daily ; and when it is closed at top and bottom, the fire will not 

 go out for iSve or six days. 



The lime-quarry at Barjarg, on the other side of the Nith, 

 is worked, not by mining, but by removing the cover from the 

 rock ; and is of course done at more expence. The kilns are 

 here of the common kind, without iron-covers or iron- doors for 

 the grates. The lime-quarry at Closeburn has been opened 

 and worked for above fifty years. 



It is curious to observe how much prejudice often opposes 

 useful improvements. When these lime works were opened in 

 1772, so general was the opinion of the injurious consequences of 

 lime laid on land for agricultural purposes, that the proprietor, 

 in order to introduce its use, obliged his tenants, in their leases, 

 to lime a certain quantity of land yearly, he furnishing the lime, 

 and even paying for the carriage ; and the tenants on their 

 parts, were bound to pay 5s. additional rent for every 80 mea- 

 sures of lime, the quantity considered sufficient for an acre. 

 Notwithstanding, however, this liberal encouragement to the 

 tenant, the greatest quantity of ground he would be induced to 

 lime, was only two acres in the year ; and some could hardly 

 be prevailed on at all to make the experiment. But experience 

 has surmounted this prejudice, and no inducement is any longer 

 required. Its effects on the appearance of the country are most 

 striking. When the present proprietor of Closeburn came into 

 possession little more than 30 years ago, the country around 

 these lime- works, to a considerable distance, was covered with 

 heath, barren, and unproductive. By judiciously, however, ap- 

 plying lime as a top-dressing, the heather has gradually disap- 

 peared, and has been replaced by good herbage. The effects of 

 this lime-quarry, and that of Barjarg, may be seen all over the 

 Basin of Closeburn, and in the adjoining Basins of Sanquhar, 

 Giencairn, and Dumfries ; and even much farther, as into some 

 parts of Galloway, distant 40 miles from these works, for in 

 neither of the districts of Galloway has lime hitherto been 

 found. 



Not far distant from Closeburn lime-works, on the same side 

 of the Nith, are two small basins of limestone, which appear 

 unconnected with it. That which is found at the Shielgreen is 

 interesting, as it presents a vitrified appearance. It is not a 

 pure limestone, but contains a portion of sand. The other 



