642 Abstract Report of Agricultural Discussions. 
perhaps the means of effecting improvement may be considered by- 
practical men too expensive ; on the other hand, if we look entii'ely 
to quantity, the quality of the herbage may be much deteriorated : 
and the result will be remunerative only to the men who sell hay in 
the neighbourhood of large towns, but not to the consuming tenant or 
to the landlord. 
But, first of all, we ought to ascertain whether a pasture requires 
liming or not. As this is frequently the case, and as lime or 
marl is a cheap manure, before we go to any great expense we 
ought to settle this point. Lime, which has done marvels on some 
description of grass land, on others has produced little or no effect. 
The geological formation of the rocks of a district is not always a 
good guide in deciding the question whether land requires liming or 
not. I have met with many cases in which lime has done an immense 
amount of good, although the land was situated on the oolite forma- 
tion, abounding in limestone rock. In such regions fields are often 
to be found in permanent pastui-e composed of clays of transporta- 
tion, which have not arisen from the rocks on which they are jilaced. 
Such soils, though deposited on limestone rocks, may have been, 
formed from other rocks deficient in lime. Such may be the case 
even though the limestone may crop out upon the surface ; and any- 
one who was not acquainted with the special character of the land 
might say that no lime could be wanted, seeing that it came up to 
the surface ; yet the actual soil may, notwithstanding these appear- 
ances, be very materially benefited by liming. 
Fortunately, this is a question which may be readily settled. Let 
a little of the soil be put in a small cup or saucer, and be mixed with 
spirits of salt (muriatic acid). If it effervesce strongly, an abundance 
of lime is present ; and in that case the land requires no liming. The 
absence of effervescence, however, is not always an indication that the 
land is deficient in lime. Soil may be in a condition in which it is 
not easily attacked by common spirits of salt. In that case no effer- 
vescence would take place, and yet sufficient lime may be present : 
but simple analysis will then very readily clear up the doubt. If land 
be of a light description, clay marl may be the best dressing ; for tlien 
we not only apply lime, but wo also add to the land a material whicli 
generally is rich in potash and soda. Marl, moreover, is valuable as 
an absorber of fertilisers, whether derived from the atmosphere^ or 
from the manure applied to the land. To enconrage the gi-owth of 
good herbage, as well as increase the quantity of the produce, a liberal 
manuring should be given. Land which is so porous that an excess 
of water mil not remain on it in wet seasons for any great length 
of time, and which in dry weather can by capillary attraction bi-ing 
up moisture from below, pays exceedingly well for a judicious outlay 
on manure. Indeed, all grass land should receive an occasional 
application of farmyard-manure ; for this alone can supply alkalies, 
more especially potash, in an economical manner. If we look at the 
composition of the ashes of our grasses and owe hay, taking the mixed 
grasses and leguminous plants together, we shall find that those 
ashes abound in potash. If we constantly mow do'.vn our grasses, wo 
