marle, &c. all which, in a greater or less degree, contribute to the amelioration of land. See Crag, Clay, Chalk, Gypsum, Lime, Marle, and Sand.
1. Coal-ashes (see p. 20, and foll. of our 2d vol.) are of extensive utility as a manure. They are particularly adapted to clay-lands, for correcting their cold, ungenial quality; but they should not be ploughed in too deep. These ashes may likewise be employed as a top-dressing for clover, on dry chalky lands, over which they ought to be scattered in the months of March or April, in the proportion of from 50 to 60 bushels per acre: they have also been advantageously spread on sward or grass-lands, either in the winter, or during the spring.
2. Soot, which will be discussed in its alphabetical place.
3. Clay, when previously calcined or burnt, improves cold, wet, sandy soils; and has been found very serviceable to close, stiff lands. The excellence of this manure is very conspicuous in the North Riding of Yorkshire, where the ground is so sandy as to produce, with any other manure, only rye; with clay, it yields abundant crops of oats, barley, &c. The usual proportion, laid on meadow, pasture, or corn lands, is from ten to twelve loads per acre; and so permanent are its fertilizing properties, that it becomes unnecessary to repeat the operation of claying, for the period of forty-five years.
4. Sand, to which we refer.
5. Salt is justly asserted to be one of the most grateful manures to vegetation, as cattle are not only more healthy, but fatten more speedily on pastures, where it has been properly scattered. It is of great utility for raising turnips, as well as for producing abundance of corn; the straw being strong; the grain thin-hulled, heavy, and, on the whole, better than that from many other manures. Besides, it sweetens sour pastures; improves and increases the herbage; while it destroys all noxious insects. The proper quantity is sixteen bushels per acre; for, if a larger proportion be used, its beneficial effects will be diminished, and vegetation be eventually destroyed.
IV. Fluid Manures comprehend Water; Oil-Compost; Mud (which see); and all liquid matters that are employed with a view to ameliorate land.
Under the article Irrigation, we have treated of the utility of water, and pointed out the best manner of applying it to the soil: we shall, therefore, at present, only remark, that the liquor of farm-yards has been successfully tried on meadows, and wheat-fields, both of which were thus rendered uncommonly fertile. This fluid may also be used with great advantage for land sown with barley, oats, or other grain; but, if it be intended for grass-lands, it ought to be sprinkled on them only during the winter, when the rains wash the saline particles into the soil; or early in the spring, when the ground is laid up for hay; because no cattle will feed on the grass, while the salt or dung adheres to the blade.—Farther, it will be necessary to convey this ameliorating liquor to the field during dry weather, when the dung-water in the reservoirs is of a deep brown colour, and strongly impregnated with salt. Thus, the land may be irrigated as often as occasion may require; and the pools kept con-
