OF MANURE. 191 



Scotch, (130 bushels per English acre), and on heavy land 

 he has gone the length of 70 bolls. The day the lime comes 

 to the field, a man follows the carts, and covers it up im- 

 mediately with earth, by which, generally in a few days, it is 

 reduced to powder. When in that state, it is spread on the 

 land. After trying several other methods this was found 

 to be the best. The improvement effected by lime on that 

 property has been very great. 



4. The slacking of lime completely is a most important 

 operation. The common mode is, to lay it in heaps from 

 the kiln upon the ground intended to be limed ; but this, 

 although the most expeditious, is by no means the most 

 advantageous method. In the first place, if the lime is not 

 all of the same quality, (which is seldom the case), the best 

 lime commonly dissolves first, and the inferior quality con- 

 tinues unslacked; so that it must either be spread in that 

 state, or the good lime must be allowed to receive too much 

 moisture, or again to re-absorb its fixed air, both of which 

 should be prevented. The best mode of slacking, is to lay 

 down the shells in a heap near to water, and by once turn- 

 ing and watering the whole mass, it is reduced to a com- 

 plete powder ; in which state it should be applied to the 

 soil, and ploughed in immediately with a shallow furrow, 

 when there is no doubt but it will mix more intimately with 

 the soil, than by the former method.* This plan, however, 

 is attended with an additional expencc of considerable 

 magnitude . 



The necessity of slacking calcined lime, as soon after it 

 is burnt as possible, is obvious. If any sudden rain should 

 fall, it would be converted into mortar ; no art can then 

 separate it, and mix it equally with the soil ; nor would 

 double the quantity have the same good effect. Even after 



Communication from Mr Rennie of Kinblethmont. 



