On Plaister of Paris. 123 
does little service, if any; but they all concur in the-efh- 
eacy of rolling the seed. Those apparently of the most 
accurate observation, believe, that courses of clover crops 
plaistered, so ameliorate the soil, that the following 
grain crops, 77 this way receive their advantages. 
One of Mr. Noland’s correspondents observes ;— 
‘the valuable properties of plaister are so well esta- 
blished in this neighbourhood, that you might as well 
ask a man if bread and meat were of any use toa la- 
bourer, as to ask him if plaister is of any use to his 
land. He would answer the one as quickly as the other, 
in the affirmative. If land is for sale, the only object seems 
whether it lies well, and is well watered. Its being poor 
or rich, makes but very little difference in the price; 
as itis so well known that one course of red clover, well 
plaistered for one or two years, puts the ground in good 
heart for any crop.” age 
In fact, the clover husbandry, with its almost magi. 
cal adjunct—the plaister, does every thing for exhaus- 
ted lands; and much for any other soils. No other 
grasses can compete with it, for prompt amelioration, 
I see with pain, (because it discourages the clover- 
system) prejudices growing against clover-hay. For 
20 years, I used but a small proportion of any other, and 
I never, during that period, had a sick herse. I generally 
salted the hay, while it was stowing in the stack, or 
mow; and was content with moderate crops, cut in due 
season, and carefully made; though I could have had, by 
forcing or overgrowing, a greater burthen. In the winter 
I often damped, either with water alone, or weak pickle, 
over night, what was to be used next day. For orses, in 
careless hands, other hay may be better. But the cha- 
