Analysis of Limestone. US 



of pepper and salt : Small lustry chrystals. I obtained 

 silex o(b, undecomposed mica 4, alumina by precipita- 

 tion 6, carbonat of magnesia 4. The rest limestone. 



Hence it would seem, that the proportion of magne- 

 sia in these stones, is not so great as to produce any 

 remarkable effect, either in agriculture, or as cements. 

 The last (No. 9,) is doubtless the worst, as containing 

 so large a proportion of siliceous sand, which on light 

 soils is worse than useless. 



Tenant's limestones, contained a much larger por* 

 tion of magnesia, and the effect was therefore more evi- 

 dent. The greater proportion of limestone used in 

 England than in this country, with the same effect, may 

 arise not from the nature of the lime, but of the soil 

 whereon it is put. It is there used in large proportion 

 to strong loamy arable soils, and to swampy, spouty 

 ground, that tends to produce sorrel. When it is used 

 for the purpose of producing white clover, for which 

 it seems to be a specific stimulus, it is not applied in 

 greater proportion there than here, and merely as a top 

 dressing. That is, so far as my observation and recol- 

 lection enable me to speak on the subject.* 



* In Evans and Ruffy*s Farmer's Journal, August 30th, 1813, 

 there is a paper, in which it is averred, that Magnesian Lime, in 

 profier quantities^ is much used in several parts of ILuglajid. The 

 writer cites highly respectable authorities, (among them Sir H, 

 Davy:) to prove the salutary efficiency of such lime ; in quantities 

 not exceeding one fourth of the dressing with other lime. It is 

 therein said, that no limestone in England contains more than 22 

 per cent, of magnesia^ and the most usual proportion is about one 

 fifth. R V, 



VOL, in. p * 



