198 A PRACTICAL TREATISE 



cases been so much impoverished as to render it incapable of 

 producinsc any thing but a poor pasture, and to require a great 

 length of time to pass away before it can be restored to its 

 original condition. It should, indeed, be observed, that the 

 application of fossil manures requires more judgment and con- 

 sideration than any other; for vegetable and animal manures 

 contain the fertilizing property within themselves, and however 

 injudiciously applied, cannot fail to impart ultimate benefit to 

 the land, if not to the immediate crop; but the power of fossils 

 consists in their action upon the constitution of the soil, and if 

 this be improperly directed, the greatest mischief may ensue. 



None of these has, perhaps, produced more injury in some 

 cases, or greater benefit in others, than lime — of which very 

 striking instances may be found in those parts of the country 

 where it is either very abundant or scarce. In the former it 

 has been not uncommonly laid upon the land without the aid 

 of putrescent manure, until the soil has become w^orthless; 

 while in the latter, as its scarcity renders it expensive, it has 

 only been moderately used by farmers of judgment and capital, 

 and the effects, after a number of years, are still apparent in 

 the improvement of the soil. While writing this, we have 

 under our eye a farm of 400 acres of strong clay, which has 

 not been limed within the memory of man. The tenant, who 

 is conscious of the advantages which might be derived from 

 the use of lime — as demonstrated in the condition of adjoining 

 land of the same quality — is yet prevented by circumstances 

 from its employment; and thus, not only are his own profits, 

 but the value of the soil to the landlord also, equally reduced. 



On the subject of burnt clay, we have recently had an 

 opportunity of making some inquiries in the neighbourhood of 

 the late General Beatson's farm, in Sussex; and we have 

 learned, that although several practical farmers in that part 

 of the country adopted his plan, yet very few of them have 

 found it to answer their expectations. One of them, who has 

 followed it extensively, confirms us in the opinion which we 

 have already stated, that much depends upon the mode in 

 which the operation of burning is performed; for if the clay 

 be calcined to the consistence of brick, it yields nothing in the 

 shape of that soft ash which is proper for manure; and if not 

 sufficiently burned, it Will return to its original condition. In 

 the former state it may, however, act in some degree as an 

 alterative of the soil; and in the latter, it will at least afford 

 gome nutriment to the crop to which it is actually applied. It 



