On Liming Land. 283 
jure the field for several years; or until recovered by 
dung, cr green manures ploughed in. It is said that 
clay will bear the heaviest liming. So that climate, 
strength and quality of lime, (I mean stone-lime, as ours 
generally is) differ widely in this, from those of other 
countries. 
Farmers of what are called strong lands, have told 
me, that eighty bushels per acre, on the first appli- 
cation, were but a moderate allowance. But I have 
ever believed that it would have been better to lay 
on forty or fifty bushels in the beginning; and in- 
crease, by repetitions, after proper intervals. Strong 
lands are precipitated into debility by over stimulation, 
as strong men, or other animals, are enfeebled by ex- 
cess, or over exertion. Some of our strongest lands 
are now thus reduced to a situation to be no longer 
benefitted by lime. In lime-stone countries, where lime 
is obtained on easy terms, I have known it spread with- 
out rule, or attention to exact quantity. I always pre- 
dicted, that repentance would, one day, follow when 
too late, this agricultural enormity. 
In Europe, lime is heavily spread on a tough old grass 
lay ; and it meliorates the grass, so as to render it high- 
ly palatable to cattle, and hastens their fatting. It lies 
thus, twelve months (haying been put on in the au- 
tumn) and the field is then ploughed, and taken up for 
a course of crops ; preparatory to being laid down again 
in grass. In this way, it is alleged, and it seems rea- 
sonable, that land will bear the heaviest liming ; espe- 
cially if it be a strong clay ; though it is known to bes 
nefit lighter soils the most. } 
VOL. II. Nn 
