284 ^m^on 0/1813. 



mer occasion, mentioned,) that strewing small qiianti. 

 ties of hot, powdered, lime^ on pastures, (with a view 

 to the destruction of spiders, and other such pests,) 

 has prevented, in several instances, defiuxions from 

 horses fed on them. It is well worthy of experiment ; 

 and I cannot account to myself why I have not tried it. 

 The whole field must be thus top-dressed ; otherwise 

 the defiuxions may be caused by feeding on the part 

 neglected. The lime will be, indubitably, serviceable 

 to the grass ; if it even fails to produce the intended 

 effect. 



Such discussions as some of the foregoing, may 

 appear trifiing ; to the inconsiderate and fastidious. 

 But a farm, like a ship, is often the victim of a combi- 

 nation of destroyers ; appearing, individually, the most 

 contemptible and impotent. A farmer should study the 

 habits and nature of weeds and vei'min ; to learn how 

 to prevent, banish, or destroy them. A wise and care- 

 ful magistrate, must occupy his mind with the mean- 



throv/n out, for litter, many tons of second crop hay ; as being 

 found mischievous, instead of nutritive. This effect is not confined 

 to clover ; — aftermath of other grasses being also equally infected. 

 Plaster destroys insects, quite as much as lime. Yet it has been 

 said, (most unv^^arrantably) that plastered grounds promote ptyaU 

 zs?n, more than others. Long before an handful of plaster was sown, 

 I well remember this malady in horses. A farm, in my neighbour- 

 hood, well known to me, whereon not a particle of gy/i&um (owing 

 to bigotted prejudice) has been strewed ; is, and has been for many 

 years, before and since the knowledge of plaster has existed among 

 us, most remarkable for promoting this disease in horses. On the 

 marshes, and other unplastered grounds, it is often as rife, as in 

 any other places. R. P. 



