FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 213 



in Greatbritain, where its use, as a manure, is very ex- 

 tensive. 



We will here give the inferences of an experienced prac- 

 tical Farmer of that Country, from various trials of lime on 

 clays, on loams, and on sandy loams on a close retentive 

 bottom. 



1. That lime operates equally well, whether applied 

 when fresh slaked, or when it has been some time slaked, 

 provided ,the Condition of the ground be such as to render 

 a calcareous application beneficial. 



2. That it is not material, whether lime be used on 

 grass-land, or on Summer-fallow; but may be applied as 

 may be most convenient, especially on new clean grass- 

 land. On land which has long lain in grass, it is thought 

 best to take one crop after breaking it up; and then to 

 Summer-fallow, and apply the lime. 



3. That to lime moorish soils is hazardous, unless dung 

 be likewise bestowed; and to repeat tRe application, espe- 

 cially where such soils have been severely croped, is almost 

 certain loss ; and that a compost of lime and rich earth is, 

 in such case, the only proper substitute. 



4. That strong loams and clays require a full dose, to 

 bring them into action, as such soils are capable of absorb- 

 ing a great quantity of calcareous matter; and that lighter 

 soils require less lime, to stimulate them; and may be in- 

 jured by a quantity that would prove but moderately bene- 

 ficial to those of a heavy nature. 



5. That upon fresh land, or that which is in a proper 

 state for an addition of calcareous earth, lime is much supe- 

 rior to dung, as its effects continue for a longer time, while 

 the crops thus grown are of a superior kind, and are less 

 liable to be injured by drought, or by excess of moisture; 

 and that the stiff soils particularly are so much easier work- 

 ed, when well limed, that this circumstance alone is almost 

 a sufficient inducement to apply lime to such grounds, if it 

 possessed no fertilizing properties. 



Finally, that though strong soils require to be animated 

 with a good dose of lime, while those of a light texture 

 require but little more ihan half the allowance of the form- 

 er, especially where they are fresh, or have not been before 

 limed; still judgment is requisite in the application: But 

 that it is generally safer to exceed the proper quantity, than 

 to be below it; for that, in this latter case, the manure may 

 prove almost wholly useless ; while it rarely happens that 

 the ground is injured by an excess of lime, especially if 

 more or less dung be soon alter administered. 



A circumstance calculated to strengthen the belief, that 

 lime will answer well as a manure, in almost every part of 

 this Country, is, that the Romans used it as a manure in 



