284 On Liming Land. 
do better. Lime, like salt, in very small quantities is 
septic, and may with dung be useful: but in the quan- 
tities usually applied, it must be injurious, on chemical 
principles, and in fact, to both the land and dung; 
which latter flatters in its effect on the crop, compared 
to one with lime alone ; as dung will always shew itself 
in a greater or less degree; but it will shew and act 
most effectually, when it is not neutralized or con- 
sumed by fresh lime. 
The varieties of our lime, as to strength or compo- 
sition, for either masonry or agricultural uses, have 
been very little attended to. It would be important that 
Some simple test or trial of the qualities of lime, should 
be established and promulgated. I know that there is 
in practical result, a great difference in the effects of 
equal quantities in bulk, measured, or weighed ; and the 
lightest is commonly the best. This I supposed was 
owing to its being better burnt; so as to have less core. 
It is but recently, that this subject has been, in Europe, 
minutely examined. Some kinds of lime have been 
found, there, so composed, as to be prejudicial to agri- 
cultural operations. Here lime differs widely in effects, 
on land or crops; so as to require greater quantities 
of one kind, than of another. I have found it so, in 
mortar.* 
* In a conversation with Mr. Lang, I found that he had, 
very meritoriously and usefully, continued his investigations 
on the analyses of the lime of this country. He believes that 
the greater part of ours is the magnesian lime; and that it 
is not attended with those deleterious effects attributed, by 
