176 PROPER PROCEDURE OF BEGINNERS. 



learning, in the case of each particular applicant for directions, at 

 what time and in what manner to apply marl, and which of different 

 kinds of marl to prefer for different soils. There would be but 

 small danger of misleading any one, if to all such inquiries this 

 one general answer were given : a Put on the most accessible marl, 

 over as much land as possible, and speedily, without regard to any 

 attendant circumstances whatever/' If the soil requires marling 

 (and there are scarcely any exceptions in lower Virginia), and the 

 available bed is truly and sufficiently calcareous, there can be no 

 important error made in applying it, except by too heavy dressings, 

 or by very unequal spreading. If merely avoiding these two 

 errors, I should deem that procedure the best by which the new 

 beginner can put on his fields the greatest quantity of calcareous 

 earth in the shortest time. 



But though comparatively of little importance, still there are 

 advantages and disadvantages to be found in the circumstances to 

 which so much undue importance has been attached. These I will 

 proceed to remark upon. 



To marl extensively or economically, it is essential (as has been 

 "before stated) to devote to this business a certain labouring force, 

 either for the whole year, or for such certain parts of the year as 

 may be deemed more proper ; and for the time this force shall be 

 so directed, the proprietor must not allow the labour to be diverted 

 to any other object. If he draws upon the marling force whenever 

 he or his overseer thinks the labour is needed to forward other farm 

 operations, it will soon be found that the marling will be generally 

 suspended \ and yet, in all probability, the other labours be not the 

 "better performed because of this always ready resource for extra 

 aid. 



Then supposing that the marling is going on throughout the 

 year, or through different designated portions of the year, it is 

 obvious that the marl cannot be always applied to any one condition 

 of the land. In the beginning, the new rnarler should aim to cover 

 as much land as possible for his next corn or other tillage crop. 

 After that crop shall have been planted, the marling can proceed 

 no farther on that field \ and the operation will be then commenced 

 on the field for corn tillage the following year. It is much better 

 that marling should be followed first by some tilled crop ; so that 

 the different ploughings and harrowings shall well mix the marl 

 and soil throughout, to the depth of the ploughing. This mixing 

 is best and most certainly effected, when the marl has been spread 

 over the ploughed surface. The subsequent shallow tillage, by 

 small ploughs, cultivators, harrows, and hand-hoes, at every move- 

 ment continually stirs and mixes the marl with the soil. 



But if the subsequent tillage processes should be such as to 

 effect the object of mixing the marl and soil intimately, I would 



