284 On Liming Land, 



do better. Lime, like salt, in very small quantities is 

 septic^ and may with dung be useful : but in the quan- 

 tities usually applied, it must be injurious, on chemical 

 principles, and in fact, to both the land and dung ; 

 which hXX^Y flatters in its effect on the crop, compared 

 to one with lime alone ; as dung will always shew itself 

 in a greater or less degree ; but it will shew and act 

 most effectually, when it is not neutralized or con- 

 sumed by fresh lime. 



The varieties of our lime, as to strength or compo- 

 sition, for either masonry or agricultural uses, have 

 been very little attended to. It would be important that 

 some simple test or trial of the qualities of lime, should 

 be established and promulgated. I know that there is 

 in practical result, a great difference in the effects of 

 equal quantities in bulk, measured, or weighed ; and the 

 lightest is commonly the best. This I supposed was 

 owing to its being better burnt ; so as to have less core. 

 It is but recently, that this subject has been, in Europe, 

 minutely examined. Some kinds of lime have been 

 found, there, so composed, as to be prejudicial to agri- 

 cultural operations. Here lime differs widely in effects, 

 on land or crops ; so as to require greater quantities 

 of one kind, than of another. I have found it so, in 

 mortar.* 



*' In a conversation v/ith Mr. Lang, I found that he had, 

 very meritoriously and usefully, continued his investigations 

 on the anal\ses of the lime of this country. He believes that 

 the greater part of ours is the magnesian lime ; and that it 

 is not attended with those deleterious effects attributed, hy 



