BURNED AND UNBUKNED. 



2G5 





are not naturally calcareous, with a small admixture of lime. 

 As a top-dressing to grass land, as an application to soils in 

 arable culture, and as an admixture for fermenting manures, 

 such burned sulphury shales (smother burned) may be tried with 

 advantage. 



In some parts of Flanders, the burning of such shales for agri- 

 cultural purposes, and even for sale to the farmers, is said to be 

 extensively practised. 



I would recommend, therefore, that wherever such sulphury 

 shales occur, they should be tried 



a In the unb timed state, when they are found to crumble 

 by the action of the frost alone or made into composts. 



b In the burned state ; first, burned without admixture ; 

 and, second, burned with a small admixture of lime, chalk, marl, 

 shell sand, or other calcareous matter. During the burning 

 this lime will arrest, and will form gypsum with, a portion of 

 the sulphur, which would otherwise burn away and be lost. 



c As a top-dressing for grass land, for young corn, clover, 

 pulse, and corn crops, as an application to the land in preparing 

 it for corn and beans, and in gardens as a manure for cabbage 

 and similar leaf crops, and for destroying insects. 



d As a mixture with night soil, and other strong smelling 

 and fermenting manures. The sulphuric acid and iron the 

 burned shale contains will cause it to act both as a fixer of 

 ammonia, and as a deodoriser or remover of smells. 



