B7 MINERAL MANURES. 87 



stitutlon of magnesian rocks peculiarly unsuited to the 

 growth of the more valuable plants. Indeed, there are 

 patches of the soil perfectly destitute of all vegetation. 

 Repeated attempts have been made to cultivate the bases 

 of our serpentine banks ; but neither lime nor manure 

 will enable the farmer to obtain more than a light crop of 

 small grain. Neither clover nor the valuable grasses can 

 be induced to take root and flourish in the ungenial soil. 

 It is, therefore, almost universally neglected. 



I have thus endeavored (in rather a desultory manner, 

 I confess) to answer your queries according to my best 

 judgement. If what I have furnished shall in any degree 

 tend to make the subject better understood, I shall be 

 amply gratified. 



With great respect, I have the honor to be, your 

 obedient servant, Wm. Darlington. 



Jesse Buel, Esq., Cor. Sec^y^ 8fc, 



Lime has been long used in the agriculture of Flanders 

 and the Netherlands, and is, according to M. Puvis, ap- 

 plied at intervals of ten or twelve years, at the rate of 

 about 45 bushels to the acre. It is also apphed in com- 

 post, and the older the compost the better it is considered ; 

 and the benefits of this application last from 15 to 20 

 years. In some parts of France, according to the same 

 authority, it is given, every three years, at each renew^al 

 of the rotation, at the rate of about 11 bushels to the 

 acre, in a compost, with seven or eight parts of mould to 

 one of lime. This compost is used upon land previous 

 to the autumn sowing, with an equal proportion of farm- 

 yard dung. M. Puvis recommends this practice for gen- 

 eral adoption. 



After all that has been said and written upon the ap- 

 plication of lime for agricultural purposes, no definite 

 rules can be laid down for its general application. Much 

 depends upon the quality and condition of the soil. In 

 some districts quicklime has proved of vast benefit ; 

 while in others it has been in a great measure inoperative. 

 Every farmer should experiment with it first upon a limited 

 .scale, and extend its use as he finds its benefits will war- 



