134 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. II , PaRT II. 



valuable. Bat we have yet to learn that beyond supplying 

 so much more vegetable matter, it helps the action of the 

 soil on the roots of the coffee bush, which, after all, is what 

 is really required. 



For the proper application of the dolomite to land as 

 manure, it should be freely burnt in a kiln with a good 

 quantity of wood, the ashes of which should be afterwards 

 mixed with the burnt lime, and the whole exposed for 

 several days to the action of the air, sheltered of course 

 from the weather. The mixture should be applied just 

 before the setting in of the monsoon rains ; if the land be 

 tolerably level the lime may be scattered broadcast on the 

 surface, though not quite near the plants. When the 

 estate to be manured is steep, then the substance to be 

 a/pplied should be placed in ridges cut crossways to the 

 descent of the slopes. 



About one hundredweight to the acre would be ample 

 for most lands ; some may, however, require more. The 

 contents of the husk-pits might advantageously be mixed 

 up with the burnt lime when a sufficiency of it has been 

 saved. 



