FOR MOWING AND PASTUllE LANDS. 



149 



haps, one of the ctieapest and most profitable top dressings. It 

 is the rich loam Avhicli accumulates in the holes by the road 

 side, and wherever the wash gathers from hills. Every one 

 has observed the effect of the loam thrown out upon the grass 

 in ploughing. The grass along the edges soon becomes green- 

 er in spring, and grows with greater luxuriance. The wash 

 by the road side would have a far more powerful effect. For 

 this contains, besides the putrescent animal matters, from the 

 road, a quantity of sand, which rich soils wanting closeness 

 and consistency, require on the surface. Spread' upon such 

 soils when covered with grass, it is very efficacious, and makes 

 the vegetation as vigorous as the most stimulating manure. 

 Very many experiments have clearly shown that the effect of 

 sand on such soils is better than any manure could be. 



Among the mineral manures, lime is often used as a top dres- 

 sing. We have seen this emplo^'^ed with good effect. We are 

 inclined to think that this effect arises not from any direct nu- 

 triment furnished by it to the grass, but from its influence on 

 the substances in the soil. It hastens the decomposition of 

 vegetable matters in the earth. In this way it renews exhaust- 

 ed soils. It increases the temperature. Hence its great bene- 

 fit on low, Avet lands. It causes a rapid decay of all peat sub- 

 stances. Hence its great use in the compost heap. It des- 

 troys the mosses and coarse herbage which work in among the 

 grasses, and indicate the want of lime in the soil. It produces 

 from them a fine vegetable mould. Hence its utility on lands 

 which are "runout." 



If what has been said be true, it appears that lime can nev- 

 er supply the place of other manures. There are properties 

 which it cannot supply, which plaster can ; others which it 

 cannot supply, as bones can ; and others which it cannot sup- 

 ply like ashes, and manures that contain salts. There are situ- 

 ations, hov/cver, in which it is invaluable. On reclaimed 

 meadow lands, after thorough draining, and a covering of three 

 or four inches of gravel, a top dressing of lime has a most 

 wonderful effect. Crops of grass of two and three tons to the 

 acre, have been taken after such a dressing of lime. In many 

 cases the first crop will repay the expense of bringing such 



