From a pretty long experience, and considerable at tention to the operation cl lime, we arc inclined to think, that it acts both as an alterative and a stimulant, opera ting in the one case as a medicine, that changes the na ture ol the soil, and in the other, as rousing, or bringing into action, the vegetable powers contained in the soil, tt Imich tt ithout such an application, would have remained dormant and inactive. These opinions, we know, are different hum what have been inaihtained by several in genious men on the subject ; but they arc supported by the result of numerous trials, undertaken to ascertain how, and in what manner, lime operated upon the soil, and whether it could be used in a hot or rjfete state with the most advantage. On these points, theoretical N1 liters are apt to 1u11 into mistakes ; and therefore every theory not termed Ii 0111 facts, must be viewed as a romance which may amuse, but cannot instruct agriculturists.
The writer of this article, for a period of thirty years, has been in the regular batik of applying considerable quantities of link ; indeed few' of his profession have used more of this useful article. In the majority of cases, the application has been highly beneficial to his interest, char. gong in a manner the very nature of the soil, and causing it to pm ()duce the most abundant crops ; whereas in others, th_. article has been altogether use less, and ill some instances the application has been followed by mischief instead of benefit. As most of these trials were executed upon a large scale, and upon soils of almost every different quality, more benefit may be gathered from a succinct account of them than from a long chain of argument. The trials are fairly stated, and the results may perhaps throw some light upon this abstruse subject.
It is proper to premise, that a good deal of uncertainty prevails with agriculturists, resp;cting the application of this article ; and that much dispute has taken place among those who have applied it only to one kind of soil, or who have not used it tinder different circumstan ces. Some have contended, that lime ought to be ap plied only when it is in a hot powdered state ; and that when it becomes tylete, the effects are comparatively trifling and unavailing. Others maintain, that grass land is the best bed for the reception of lime, while many of our most enlightened farmers strenuously affirm, that it is most judiciously used when the land gets a complete summer-fallow. It would not be difficult to prove, that each class of disputants, in the view they take of the subject are equally in the right : and that they only con demn the system of others, because their own has turned out to be successful. Our opinion is, that, in
every case where the land is constitutionally disposed to receiye benefit from a calcareous dressing, that ia, when it is refreshed by grass, or enriched by dung, it is of little importance, in respect of operation, whether lime is applied hot or effete; upon grass land, or upon fallow ; and that convenience ought chiefly to be studied, when the most proper time for applying the article is to be ascertained. In point of economy, there can he no doubt, but that lime is most economically used, when laid upon land hot from the kiln : this mode also lessens the expense of labour considerably ; consequently the practice of using it when effete is more expensive. It is obvious, however, that a choice of season is not al ways in the farmer's power ; and that imposing neces sity often obliges him to lay on lime when completely ejete. Repeated trials, however, have convinced us, that its operations are equally beneficial in the one state as in the other ; though the expense in the last case, as already said, is greater than in the former. With regard to the other branch of dispute, whether land in grass, or land in fallow, is the most proper bed for the reception of lime, we are of opinion, that the difference is imma terial. If grass land is clean, and if lime can be got 16r ward at the time, the application will be as efficacious upon it, as upon the richest and best wrought summer fallow.
That these things are not matter of opinion, we mean to show, by detailing the results of the trials made to ascertain the facts. To render these details more per fect, we shall mention the nature of the surface and sub soil upon which the several trials were made, and ex plain the state of the ground at the time; and, when necessary, the management practised for a series of years afterwards.
Field, No. 1. was soil chiefly composed of thin clay, some of it approaching to a moorish quality, i. c. mixed with peat earth ; the whole incumbent upon a subsoil retentive of moisture.
This field had been in grass for several years, but yielded very poor returns. It was fallowed without taking any corn crop ; and the lime which was brought forward during the summer months, was applied in the following spring, previous to the seed-furrow being given. At that time, it was completely effete, and would hardly go from the shovels. About 45 Linlithgow bar ley bulls, or 280 Winchester bushels, as originally laid down, were applied to each Scottish statute acre.