the land improves, the quantity of lime is increased. The prevailing practice here, is, to plough down the sod, or lay, in the fall or early in the spring,-harrow it once--and then spread the lime (previously slaked to a powder) preparatory to planting the field with Indian corn. Every field, in rotation, receives this kind of dressing: and as our farms are mostly divided into about half a dozen fields, the dressing of course comes once in six years, more or less according to the number of the fields. Some enterprising farmers, however, give their fields an intermediate dressing, on the sod, after they come into grass; which I consider an excellent practice,-tending rapidly to improve the condition of the land.

Query III. "Is it applied in a caustic or an effete state?” Answer. It is usually obtained in a caustic state from the kiln,-deposited in heaps in the field where it is to be spread, and water sufficient to slake it to a powder, is then thrown upon it. As soon as slaked, it is loaded into carts, and men with shovels distribute it as equably as possible over the ground. It is generally considered best to put it on the ground whilst it is fresh, or warm, as the phrase is; and it is certainly easier to spread it equally, while in a light pulverised state, than after it gets much wet with rains. I am inclined to think, too, it is better for the land, when applied fresh from the kiln.

Query IV. "To what crops is it most advantageously applied, and at what seasons ?"

Answer. It is usually applied, as already intimated, to the crop of Indian corn, in the spring of the year-say the month of April. Occasionally it is applied, preparatory to sowing wheat, in autumn. When used as a top dressing, on the sod, it is generally applied in the fall-say November. The prevailing impression is, that it is most advantageously applied to the Indian corn crop; and hence the general prac tice. But the truth is, it is highly advantageous at any, and at all seasons; and our shrewd old farmers have a saying, "Get your lime on for your corn, if you can, but be sure you get it on the land, some time in the year."

Query V. "How is it incorporated with the soil-by the plough or the harrow? and is it applied in any case as a top dressing to grass and to grains, and with what effect?"

Answer. As already stated, after the sod is ploughed down for Indian corn, it is usually harrowed once, to render the surface more uniform. The lime is spread as equally as possible over the field, and then the ground is well harrowed in different directions, in order to incorporate the lime with the soil. Soon afterwards, the field is marked out, and planted with corn. The plough is rarely, if ever used, for the purpose alluded to. I have mentioned above, that lime is occasionally used as a top dressing, for grass. It appears to be particularly beneficial to that crop; and answers extremely well, when applied in that manner. The practice of applying it to Indian corn, as above related, is, however, chiefly followed: and the application of a dressing to each field, in rotation, causes as much labor and expense every year, as our farmers generally are willing to incur. Lime has rarely been used as a top dressing to grain crops, within my knowledge.

Query VI. "What is the ordinary cost, per acre, of liming, and the relative profits, in increased products, of a period of years?"

Answer. Quick lime, at the kilns, usually costs twelve and a half cents per bushel. The farmers generally haul it with their own teams; and the additional expense depends, of course, materially upon the distance. It is frequently hauled by them a distance of 8, 10, and even 12 miles. The average, perhaps, is about 5 or 6 miles. It is delivered to me by the lime burners, (a distance of near 6 miles,) at 18 cents per bushel. At the rate of 40 bushels to the acre, the cost, at 18 cents, would be $7 20 cts. per acre. It is difficult to estimate, with precision, the relative profits, in increased products: But I can safely say, from my own experience, on a small farm of middling quality, that two dressings of lime at the above rate, in the course of 8 or 9 years

have more than trebled the products of the land to which it was applied, both in grain and grass. It is to be understood, however, that the system of ploughing only so much ground as could be well manured, was adopted at the same time. I may also observe, generally, that the farmers of this district, (who are shrewd economists,) are so well convinced of the beneficial effects of liming, that, costly as its application seems to be, they are unanimous in sparing no effort to procure it. Lime has been found to be peculiarly favorable to the growth of pasture, when the farm is otherwise well managed : and, as our farmers are mostly in the practice of feeding cattle, they resort to liming as an indispensable auxiliary to successful grazing. Query VII. "Is lime applied with yard manures, or earthy composts, and with what results?"

Answer. I have already intimated that vegetable matters, and especially yard manures, are highly important in conjunction with lime. Both are valuable, even when used separately; but when combined, the effect is most complete. If to this be added, that great secret of good farming, viz. to plough only so much ground as can be well manured,—the state of agriculture may be considered nearly perfect.

Lime is, in some instances, added to earthy composts, preparatory to distribution on the field: But it is doubtful whether the extra labor of this method is compensated by any peculiar advantages. It is not generally practised.

Query VIII. "Is powdered limestone (carbonate of lime) applied to soils; and if so, does it induce fertility otherwise than by mechanically ameliorating their texture ?"

Answer. No instance of powdered limestone being applied to soils has come under my notice. I can, therefore, form but a very imperfect opinion of its utility. If it were even as beneficial as quick lime, (which I doubt,) I apprehend it could not be procured and applied with less cost and labor.

Query IX. On what soils, if any, in your neighborhood, is lime found to be inoperative, as a fertilizing application ; and the cause of its failure?"

Answer. There is no soil in this district, deemed worthy of cultivation, on which lime is wholly inoperative as a fertilizer. On some sterile, slaty ridges, and on magnesian rocks, it has indeed but a slight effect; and even the benefits of barnyard manure are very transient. In low, swampy grounds, also, unless they are previously well drained, the labor of applying lime is pretty much thrown away. There seems to be something in the constitution of magnesian rocks peculiarly unfriendly to the growth of the more valuable plants. Indeed, there are patches of the soil perfectly destitute of all vegetation. Repeated attempts have been made to cultivate the bases of our serpentine banks; but neither lime, nor manure, will enable the farmer to obtain more than a light crop of small grain. Neither clover, nor the valuable grasses can be induced to take root and flourish in the nial soil. It is, therefore, almost universally neglected.

unge

I have thus endeavoured, (in rather a desultory manner, I confess,) to answer your queries according to my best judg ment. If what I have furnished shall in any degree tend to make the subject better understood, I shall be amply gratified. With great respect,

I have the honor to be,

Your obedient serv't,

WM. DARLINGTON.

JESSE BUEL, Esq. Cor. Sec. &c.

Communication from JESSE BUEL, Esq. on MANURES. The provident farmer, who knows the value of food to his stock, should equally appreciate the importance of food to his crops for manure, that is, animal and vegetable matter, is as essential to the growth and perfection of the vegetable, as forage is to the growth and developement of the animal.

Mere earths, as clay, sand and lime, in whatever proportions they be blended, constitute no part of the true food of plants, although they may be incidentally found in them, and be essential to their structure, as lime is in the bones of animals. It is the mixture of vegetable and animal matters with earths that constitute what we denominate soils; and the quality of soils, in reference to fertility, is in a great measure determined by the quantity of vegetable soluble matter which they contain. Hence fields, long subjected to tillage, without occasional supplies of manure, become exhausted of vegetable food, and refuse a return to the labors of the husbandman. In some districts of our country, particularly in Maryland and Virginia, vast bodies of land, once fertile, have been thus injudiciously worn out, and thrown into commons as useless. Had the owners of such lands obeyed the golden rule, to till no more than they could manure well, their husbandry would have been more profitable, and their fields now fertile and enclosed. In truth, most of us act unwisely in these matters. We cultivate more land than we cultivate well. We are careless in saving manures, and wasteful in applying them. We should readily condemn the husbandman, as a bad manager, who should attempt to fatten upon his farm, twice the number of cattle which it could feed. And yet this is precisely the policy which many pursue in regard to their A starved crop is as discreditable to the owner as a starved animal.

crops.

In some of the Asiatic countries, where the population is dense, the preservation from starvation of even human beings, sometimes depends upon the fidelity with which every refuse vegetable and animal substance is applied to the soil, as food for plants, destined to subsist the human species.

In Europe, wherever agriculture is prosperous, we see the most scrupulous care used in husbanding and applying this pabulum of vegetation.

Flanders, which has been denominated the garden of Europe, owes much of her prosperity and wealth to her superior