ON THE COMPOSITION OF SOILS, &C. 203 



" able them to operate anew upon that soil which 

 " they had formerly fertilised, in which class of 

 " stimulating manures, lime was always allowed 

 " to hold the foremost place. 



" In consequence of this theory, it would 

 " follow that lime could only be of use as a ma- 

 " nure when applied to rich soils, and when 

 " applied to poor soils would produce hardly 

 " any, or even perhaps doubtful effects. 



" I will frankly acknowledge, that I myself 

 " was so far imposed upon by the beauty of this 

 " theory, as to be hurried along with the general 

 " current of mankind, in the firm persuasion of the 

 " truth of this observation, and for many years 

 " did not sufficiently advert to those facts that 

 " were daily occurring to contradict this theory. 

 " I am now, however, firmly convinced from re- 

 " peated observations, that lime and other cal- 

 " careous manures produce a much greater 

 " proportional improvement upon poor soils, 

 " than such as are richer; And that lime alone 

 '* upon a poor soil, will, in many cases, produce 

 " a much greater and more lasting degree of 

 " fertility than dung alone/ 



" Thus far Mr. Anderson's theory is exactly 

 " conformable to the theory we have laid down, 

 " and what ought to happen according to our 

 *' principles. He mentions, however, some 



