Agriculture of Nottinghamshire. 
35 
less than a ton an acre should be applied, as it is difficult to 
separate, and consequently to spread equally over the land. Its 
virtues are not exhausted in less than two, or even three years, 
from its decomposing slowly. 
Guano was used very generally last year for the turnip crop, in 
small quantities, by way of experiment ; but the summer being 
very dry it failed : if another trial were made we cannot say pre- 
cisely what the result would be. It is unquestionably a powerful 
manure when pure, but we fear is very liable to be adulterated. 
The African has been chiefly used in these districts. Another 
year's trial will go far to determine its value, and fix its future 
price. 
Nitrate of soda was used some years ago, but from its discon- 
tinuance we presume that the popularity which at one time it 
was likely to acquire is on the wane, if its fate be not already 
sealed. 
Soot is much liked as a top-dressing for wheat in the spring, 
applied at the rate of 5 quarters an acre; it may be bought at 
Sheffield for 2s. 6c?. a quarter, forming a cheap and very re- 
munerative manure. 
On the true value of lime as a manure opinion is not so unani- 
mous as would appear desirable. By some good farmers it is 
regarded as essentially necessary ; whilst by others of equal spirit 
and enterprise it is altogether neglected. 
The aid of science is wanted to ascertain the relative value of 
lime brought from various quarries in Yorkshire and Derbyshire 
— both of which kinds are in common use in these districts. The 
Yorkshire lime brought from Brotherton and Knottingley was 
held by Mr. Lucas, at the late meeting of the " British Associa- 
tion for the Advancement of Science " at York, to be next in value 
to the mountain limestone of that county, from its containing the 
next largest amount, namely, 93^ per cent., of carbonate of lime, 
and comparatively little of the carbonate of magnesia. Of this 
lime, as much as 120 or 150 bushels an acre is often applied at 
a dressing, and even more, and it is found to answer well ; whilst 
of some of the Derbyshire lime also in general use, not more 
than 60 or 70 bushels can be applied without positive injury being 
sustained for years afterwards. 
It is necessary to observe, that the Derbyshire lime here alluded 
to is not the mountain limestone of that county, which is equally 
valuable to the farmer with the mountain limestone of Yorkshire, 
and most valuable for agricultural purposes, being said to contain 
98J per cent, of pure carbonate of lime; but it is a limestone 
highly impregnated with magnesia, and identical with the 
magnesian lime of Yorkshire, which is said to contain of carbonate 
of lime only 62^ per cent., and of carbonate of magnesia 36f per 
D 2 
