OP MANURE. 199 



on about Martinmas, and let it lie on the surface till 

 February, then plough it down, and sow the ground when 

 the weather is suitable. Suffering ground to remain for 

 some years in grass, is certainly the best preparation for 

 lime, as it has then fresh mould, and vegetable matter, to 

 act upon. 



Mr Cuthbertson recommends, that no lime should be 

 laid on high ridges that are intended to be flattened ; the 

 ridge should be brought to the same round in which it is 

 intended to remain, before that operation is accomplished, 

 because, in performing it, there is a great risk of burying 

 the lime. Mr Barclay remarks, that when the application 

 is made, the land should not be too wet ; and it is neces- 

 sary at all times, to have the lime brought to such order, as 

 neither to fly off with the wind, nor go into clods in the 

 spreading. 



Mr Brodie of Garvald observes, that some speculative 

 agriculturists recommend liming upon the surface, to ex- 

 tirpate the heath, and improve the pasturage, without at- 

 tempting to bring ground under the plough, as the soil 

 and climate may be unfit for the raising of grain. If the 

 lime is at any considerable distance, there is reason to sus- 

 pect that this would not turn out a profitable concern. At 

 the distance of eight or ten miles, a good liming would not 

 cost less than L. 10 or L. 12 the Scotch acre. It cannot 

 be expected that this improvement, on such hills as those 

 of Lammermuir, would even pay the interest of the mo- 

 ney. Gentlemen proprietors may improve at this rate, 

 but a tenant would be extremely imprudent, were he to 

 throw away his capital, without a prospect of being repaid. 

 It is surely better to lime land worth the improving, to 

 bring it under the plough, and then to take a few corn 

 crops to refund the expence. The tenant is thus reim- 



5 



