On Liming Land. 281 



jure the field for several years ; or until recovered by 

 dung, or green manures ploughed in. It is said that 

 clay will bear the heaviest liming. So that climate, 

 strength and quality of lime, (I mean stone-lime, as ours 

 generally is) differ widely in this, from those of other 

 countries. 



Farmers of what are called strong lands, have told 

 me, that eighty bushels per acre, on the first appli- 

 cation, were but a moderate allowance. But I have 

 ever believed that it would have been better to lay 

 on forty or fifty bushels in the beginning ; and in- 

 crease, by repetitions, after proper intervals. Strong 

 lands are precipitated into debility by over stimulation, 

 as strong men, or other animals, are enfeebled by ex- 

 cess, or over exertion. Some of our strongest lands 

 are now thus reduced to a situation to be no longer 

 benefitted by lime. In lime- stone countries, where lime 

 is obtained on easy terms, I have known it spread with- 

 out rule, or attention to exact quantity. I always pre- 

 dicted, that repentance would, one day, follow when 

 too late, this agricultural enormity. 



In Europe, lime is heavily spread on a tough old grass 

 lay ; and it meliorates the grass, so as to render it high- 

 ly palatable to cattle, and hastens their fatting. It lies 

 thus, twelve months (having been put on in the au- 

 tumn) and the field is then ploughed, and taken up for 

 a course of crops ; preparatory to being laid down again 

 in grass. In this way, it is alleged, and it seems rea- 

 sonable, that land will bear the heaviest liming ; espe- 

 cially if it be a strong clay ; though it is known to be- 

 nefit lighter soils the most. 



VOL. II. N n 



