278 On Litning Land. 



after a certain time, of manure as well as of crop ; 

 though either may be, after proper intervals and with 

 suitable auxiliaries, again introduced with equal bene- 

 fit. I do not know enough of facts, relating to liine-sick 

 lands, to give an opinion : and this is one among other 

 reasons, why I wish the society to promote inquiries. 



I believe it is generally known and agreed, that the 

 poorer the land, either naturally or by wearing, the less 

 lime it will bear. So that 25 bushels will benefit, where 

 50 would injure. Ziime, being in itself no manure, must 

 find, in the earth, or in the air, something to act upon, 

 or co-operate with. And, that it may have constant 

 communication with the atmosphere, it should be kept 

 near the surface ; both in its first application, and by 

 deepening the ploughings to bring it up when it sinks. 

 I have made much use of it, in every way, and in great 

 quantities, for a long course of years. My soil is vari- 

 ous ; but generally a kindly loam, mixed with mica 

 (isinglass) and in parts sand, as well as clay. The sur- 

 face is of every description, as to exposure, hill and 

 vale. It had been much worn in some parts ; and I 

 have cleared off, from time to time, a considerable por- 

 tion of the timber. So that I have had all kinds of soil 

 to operate upon. I have generally begun with 40 

 bushels (sometimes 50, and often 30 and 35) to the acre. 

 I prefer it to be laid in half bushel-heaps, and water- 

 slaked. But I frequently cover these little heaps with, 

 earth, and leave it thus to slake ; closing the cracks 

 carefully, as they appear. Sometimes I leave it through 

 the winter, in large heaps of 40 or 50 bushels (accord- 

 ingly as I determine the quantity per acre) well pro- 

 tected by earth and sod. I choose, when practicable, 



