Review of Essays on Calcareous Manures. 163 



soils, and these were rendered arable by the use of lime ; but the 

 improvement thus produced has been permanent, and although a 

 fall in the price of agricultural products may have lowered rents, or 

 ruined those who had contracted to pay high ones, we have heard 

 of no instance of its becoming expedient to abandon the soils once 

 brought into tillage by the aid of lime. The most remarkable fact 

 of all is, that many of the newly reclaimed lands, in districts former- 

 ly considered as sterile both by nature and climate, were raised to a 

 higher value than those of ancient fame for fertile soil and favorable 

 skies. Thus, twenty years since, the rents of Northumberland, Ber- 

 wick, and Dumfries, were higher, per acre of arable soil, than those 

 of Gloucestershire, and we were witnesses of the migration of ten- 

 ants, from the northern to the southern region, at the request of 

 landlords, who wished to introduce the Scottish husbandry, of which 

 lime is the main support, into the fertile vales of the Severn. 



We cannot conclude, without recommending the perusal of the 

 works whose titles stand at the head of this article, to the attention 

 of every American landholder. A skillful application of the prin- 

 ciples they illustrate, would go far to check the annual decrease in 

 fertility, which takes place in many of our districts ; a decrease which 

 has already made some of the regions once most productive in bread 

 stuffs, importers of that necessary element of existence, and w^hich 

 subjects us most deservedly to the reproach of being unable to retain 

 the blessings which Providence has showered with a lavish hand 

 upon our country. 



One other important consideration requires notice, and this is the 

 change in healthfulness which the application of calcareous earth to 

 soils abounding in vegetable matter, is likely to produce. Mr. Ruffin 

 cites facts in which he is corroborated by M. Puvis, which would 

 almost warrant the conclusion, that this will be an efficient remedy 

 for the malaria, whose influence is extending itself over every part 

 of our middle and southern seaboard. There are indeed causes, 

 such as stagnant waters, mill ponds, and rice cultivation, which are 

 beyond its reach ; but there are other cases, where, if there be any 

 rehance on the usual theory of the causes, calcareous manures ought 

 to be efficient in checking an infliction, which drives the white pop- 

 ulation, during the summer and autumnal months, from many of the 

 fairest portions of the United States, and in others materially short- 

 ens the average duration of human existence. 



