OF MANURE. 185 



ticular, gives a degree of permanent fertility to the soil, 

 which can be imparted by no other manure. Its effects, 

 indeed, are hardly to be credited, but their correctness can- 

 not be disputed. Maiden soils, in Lammermuir, of a tole- 

 rable quality, will, with the force of sheeps' dung, or other 

 animal manures, produce a middling crop of oats, or rye ; 

 but the richest animal dung does not enable them to bring 

 any other grain to maturity. Peas, barley, or wheat, will 

 set out with every appearance of success, but when the peas 

 are in bloom, and the other grains are putting forth the ear, 

 they proceed no farther, and dwindle away in fruitless abor- 

 tion.* The same soils, after getting a sufficient quantity of 

 lime, will produce every species of grain, and in good sea- 

 sons bring them to maturity, in all future times, always 

 supposing the ground to be under proper culture, and the 

 climate adapted to the crop. This fact proves, that oats 

 and rye, require less calcareous matter than what is neces- 

 sary for other grains ; that lime acts as an alterative, as well 

 as an active medicine, and that the defects in the constitu- 

 tion of the soil are cured, even after the stimulant and fer- 

 tilizing effects of the lime have long ceased to operate. Lime 

 is also peculiarly beneficial in improving muirish soils, by 

 making them produce good herbage, where nothing but 

 heath and other unpalatable grasses grew formerly. The 

 expence of this article in Aberdeenshire is stated to be enor- 

 mous, very little of it being produced in that country; yet 

 lime is there considered to be absolutely necessary, and, in- 

 deed, the foundation of all substantial improvements.f It is 



* Marie, although containing calcareous matter, is not so effective. 

 It will produce oats, barley, and early peas in abundance, and in some 

 situations will also produce wheat, when the season is favourable, but 

 wheat crops cannot be depended upon from marie alone. 



f Communication from Mr Barclay, Mill of Knockleith, It is obser- 



