294> On burning Clay for Manure* 



nured twenty acres. Notwithstanding the turnips were 

 later of being sown than usual, and were too long in be- 

 ing hoed, Mr. Wallace obtained for them the second 

 premium for green crop from the Agricultural Society in 

 the Stewartry, and since, the Highland Society have 

 awarded to him their first premium. 



" Mr. Wallace has a considerable quantity of ashes on 

 hand for his Swedish turnip this season, and he means to 

 have at least sixty acres of turnip from ashes. So fully 

 convinced is he of the superior efficacy of clay ashes, that 

 he has repeatedly declared to me he would not now be 

 at the trouble of carting dung from Kirkcudbright to his 

 farm, though only one mile and a half distant, even if he 

 were to get the dung in a present. 



" Though I do not apprehend that any written account 

 I can give you, will afford half so satisfactory an idea of 

 the method of burning clay, or indeed any kind of sub- 

 soil of moderate tenacity, as ocular inspection of the 

 work, yet I shall give you the best description I can. 



" The general method of proceeding to work, is to 

 make an oblong inclosure, of the dimensions of a small 

 house, (say fifteen feet by ten) of green turf sods, raised 

 to the height of three and a half or four feet. In the in- 

 side of this inclosure air pipes are drawn diagonally, 

 which communicate with holes left at each corner of the 

 exterior wall. These pipes are formed of sods put on 

 edge, and the space between them so wide only as an- 

 other sod can easily cover. In each of the four spaces 

 left between the air pipes and the outer wall, a fire is kin- 

 dled with wood and dry turf, and then the whole of the 

 inside of the inclosure, or kiln, filled with dry turf, which 

 is very soon on fire, and on the top of that, when well 



