On mixing Lime and Stable Manure, 95 



The only probable remedy for such an evil seems to 

 be, that of either preparing the manure in a particular 

 manner, by mixing it with some substance or substan- 

 ces, whose deleterious effects will prove fatal to the in- 

 sects ; or by applying it in a form somewhat different 

 from the mode commonly practiced. 



Upon the first of these points I have to observe, that 

 a cheap and valuable remedy may be had in most si- 

 tuations, which, when mixed with the dung, will not 

 only destroy the vermin, but, by its operation upon 

 the manure, render it much more valuable. — The ar- 

 ticle I allude to is lime, which, when mixed with well 

 digested animal and vegetable manures, not only de- 

 stroys every insect, or animalcule, which they contain, 

 but by its solvent qualities accelerates putrefaction, and 

 renders their effects upon the crop more certain and 

 valuable, and accordingly many of the best farmers in 

 England employ a mixture of lime in all their manure ; 

 but when to the advantage above mentioned, is super- 

 added the destruction of such vermin as are likely to 

 breed in the dung, and afterwards to destroy the crop, 

 the mixture of lime with it will appear to be one of the 

 most beneficial improvements in modern husbandry.* 



When dung is intended for a compost, no attempt 

 should be made to add any large quantity of lime or 

 earth, till it is properly fermented ; as every addition 

 of that kind will be found to check fermentation, and 

 diminish the value of the compound. — The lime and 

 earth should be added, after the fermentation is finish- 



* Inquiry into the cause of the blight and smut in wheat. Com- 

 munications to Board of Agriculture, vol. 2, page 208. 



