SOIL. 



had not fully hardened at the time of being moved 

 is yet made probable by the whole crystallization 

 of the mass being interrupted ; so that no part 

 adheres firmly, but separates into small shattery 

 fragments when struck. This substance \ye burn 

 in very large quantities for building purposes, and 

 for manure, which, by the facility which we have 

 of obtaining small coal, is rendered at the low rate 

 of three-pence a bushel at the kiln. Our farmers, 

 availing themselves of this cheap article, use consi- 

 derable quantities, composted with earth, for their 

 different crops, at the rate of not less than a hun- 

 dred bushels to the acre. This is a favourite sub- 

 stance for their potato land. The return in general 

 is not so large as when grown in manure from the 

 yard : but the root is said to be more mealy, and 

 better flavoured. 



The utility of lime as manure consists in loosen- 

 ing the tenacious nature of some soils ; rendering 

 them more friable and receptive of vegetable fibres: 

 it especially facilitates the dissolution and putre- 

 faction of animal and vegetable substances, which 

 are thus more readily received and circulated in 

 the growing plant ; and it has the power of acquir- 

 ing and long retaining moisture; thus rendering a 

 soil cool and nutritive to the plants that vegetate 

 in it. The power that lime has of absorbing mois- 

 ture will be better understood, when we say, that 

 one hundred weight will, in five or six days, when 

 fresh, absorb five pounds of water, and that it will 

 retain in the shape of powder, when slakened, or 



