APPLICATION TO THE SOIL. 4o 



tifiil application of lime ? I once spread three casks of 

 lime on about twenty square rods in my garden, which 

 was a sandy loam, and stood in much need of manure. 

 It was destitute of any vegetable matter, having been 

 tilled for two or three years in succession. After the 

 lime was spread on, I accidentally found a heap of 

 manure for sale, and I applied that at the rate of five 

 cords to the acre, on the limed ground. My first year's 

 crop was small ; my second was no better ; my third 

 was not so good as that where no lime had been put, 

 and my seventh crop has never shown the benefits of 

 the lime. From the appearance of the cabbages and 

 turnips the second year, I fancied the lime had de- 

 stroyed or eaten up my manure. This lime is still to be 

 seen in the ground, and I hope, some time, to reap the 

 benefit of the application. VVhen that time arrives, I 

 trust I shall be able to give you further account of my 

 success: till then, I cannot be very positive as to the 

 propriety of giving two or three shillings a bushel for 

 lime to improve the soil. I have supposed that lime 

 was, as a manure, to be ranked with wood-ashes, and 

 that it should be applied in places where it had some- 

 thing to do, some vegetable matter to act upon. If I 

 am not correct in this, I have no theory to propose, and 

 shall be content, at present, to use no more of this arti- 

 cle than the plant to which it is applied may want for 

 immediate use. W. B. 



Fraiiimgham, Dec. 1838. 



The respected editor of the Yankee Farmer has de- 

 voted two columns of his paper of the 19th inst. in 

 pointing out our erroneous notions in regard to the use 

 of lime. It is very evident he has caught the fever of 

 the day, and must therefore cry lime ! lime ! lime ! or 

 be wholly out of fashion with gentlemen farmers. We 

 have been very highly complimented, by the editor, for 

 our former numbers published in October, November, 

 and December, in his paper, under the signature of 



