196 THE COMPLETE FARMER 



alternated, giving first a dressing of earth and lime, and at 

 the expiration of three years, a coat of compost manure. 



' This has been done on the principle that a more judi- 

 cious mixture would be made, and a better composi on of 

 soil be had. 1 have been guided herein from general rea- 

 soning, not from any proof that the lime might not be re- 

 peated. 



' It seems, however, to be a prevailing opinion, where 

 lime has been most in use, that it opens the sod and makes 

 it more porous, giving thereby a better action to other ma- 

 nures, which a judicious husbandry should in succession ap- 

 ply. In this application of lime to a grass sward, in a deep 

 springy soil, I have been for a long time well satisfied. It 

 was several years before I undertook the same practice on a 

 light soil, and I did it with less expectation. But I was 

 somewhat surprised to find it equally beneficial. 



' So far lime has been mentioned as a component article in 

 top-dressing for a green sward. Its effect will be shown on 

 ploughed land, and in a grain crop. 



' With a view of increasing fertility, I frequently have ap- 

 plied on the side of the hills of Indian corn a small handful 

 of slacked lime. I so placed it, lest the caustic quality of 

 the lime should prove injurious to the tender plant when it 

 first started from the soil. This is my opinion and practice; 

 though I have often since seen large pieces slacken and ex- 

 pand on the soil without injury to the grass, which in a 

 lively green color pierced through it. This application of 

 lime to the hill I continued for some time, and thouglt small 

 in quantity or effect, I still thought it of some advantage. I 

 Avas led, however, to a more extensive and satisfactory expe- 

 riment. 



' I had a piece of ground of about four acres, of rather 

 light soil, which gave promise of a very small crop of grass. 

 Being without the means of obtaining manure, as I iiad a 

 quantity of earth of the top stratum, taken up on building a 

 wall, I forthwith procured a quantity of lime and mixed it in 

 the manner before mentioned. About the middle of June 

 I had the grass mowed and the land ploughed. The lime 

 compost was then spread and lightly harrowed in. Vn early 

 sort of yellow corn, which when ripe husked itself, 'va as pro- 

 cured. And my neighbors, Avho knew the process, were, in 

 the fall of the year, much surprised by the stout ears of 

 golden grain thus unfolded to view ! 



' I trust enough has been said to show the beneficial use 



