r 180 ] 



Li/ne is still more plenty than marl, and within a distance of six 

 miles from the coal pits, may be burnt for sixteen-pence or eigh- 

 teen-peace per quarter. Its beneficial effects are universally 

 known, and acknowledged, and yet strange to relate, a second ap- 

 plication thereof seldom takes place in less than fifteen or twenty 

 rears ; this reluctance may be attributed to the baneful effects, 

 not offline, but of an injudicious and exhausting course of crop- 

 ping. 



Allowing that arable land may be injured by a too liberal use of 

 this manure, it must be allowed, that with pasture no such conse- 

 quences could ensue. Lime, like marl, kills all the coarse, sour 

 grasses, brings a sweet, and beautiful herbage, grateful to the palate 

 of all cattle ; it forms a kind of pan under the surface, by which 

 the nutritious particles of dung are kept longer within the reach 

 of the roots of plants, and is the means of making ten load go* as 

 far as twenty when applied without a previous liming. Its activity 

 is not abated in the course of three or four years; for if the land be 

 broken up at that distance of time, its effects are as visible in the 

 subsequent crops of corn, as if it were immediately applied. 

 Happy then are those farmers who posses* such advantages, and 

 have the sense and spirit to use them. How would a Devonshire 

 farmer rejoice, were he to find limestone and fuel on the same 

 estate. In that part of the kingdom, to the honor of the county be 

 it spoken, they frequently send twenty miles for lime, and give 

 four-pence and six-pence per bushel at the kiln; and our wise- 

 acres of Somerset will scarcely bestow carriage, were the landlord 

 to give them the lime. 



Where neither marl, lime, chalk, nor any other similar sub- 

 Stance, dug from the bowels of the earth, can be procured, it be- 

 hoves the fanner to be earnestly solicitous to supply their places 

 with either animal, or vegetable manure. For this purpose let 

 him mow all his stubbles for litter, house his cattle during the 

 winter months, fold his sheep, grow a large portion of turnips, 

 cabbages, vetches, rye, &c; keep a numerous stock, and be mo- 

 derate in the extent of his corn land. Great attention also ought 

 to be paid to the management of dung when made, for by neglect 

 great part of its strength may be lost. When properly soaked 



with 



