84 IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOIL 



mostly divided into about half a dozen fields, the dressing 

 of course comes once in six years, more or less, accord- 

 ing to the number of the fields. Some enterprising farm- 

 ers however give their fields an intermediate dressing, on 

 the sod, after they come into grass, which I consider an 

 excellent practice, — tending rapidly to improve the condi- 

 tion of the land. 



Query 3. " /? it applied in a caustic or in an effete 

 state V 



Answer. It is usually obtained in a caustic state from 

 the kiln, — deposited in heaps in the field where it is to 

 be spread, and water, sufiicient to slake it to a powder, 

 is then tlirown upon it. As soon as slaked it is loaded 

 into carts, and men with shovels distribute it as equally 

 as possible over the ground. It is generally considered 

 best to put it on the ground while it is fresh, or warm, as 

 the phrase is ; and it is certainly easier to spread it equally 

 when in a light, pulverized state, than after it gets much 

 wet with rains. I am inclined to think, too, it is better 

 for the land when applied fresh from the kiln. 



Query 4. '-'• To what crops is it most advantageously 

 applied, and at what season V 



Answer. It is usually applied, as already intimated, 

 to the crop of Indian corn, in the spring of the year — 

 say the month of A pril. Occasionally it is applied prepar- 

 atory to sowing wheat in autumn. When used as a top 

 dressing, on the sod, it is generally applied in the fall — 

 say November. The prevailing impression is, that it is 

 most advantageously applied to the Indian corn crop ; 

 and hence the general practice. But the truth is, it is 

 highly advantageous at any, and at all seasons ; and our 

 shrewd old farmers have a saying — " Get your lime on 

 for your corn, if you can, — but be sure to get it on the 

 land some time in the year.'''' 



Query 5. " How is it incorporated with the soil — by 

 the plough or the harrow ? and is it applied in any case 

 as a top dressing to grass and to grains, and with what 

 effect V 



Answer. As already stated, after the sod is ploughed 

 down for Indian corn, it is usually harrowed once to 



