Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-01-04
ADVANTAGES OFLIME.


writing Tor the public, il gives me pleasure
10 comply with your request, in my plain
way, IN giving you my views in relation TO
The value OF lime, and the result OF my eX-
perience and observations in the use Of il.
Few have been more benefited by the expe
rIence OF others, and mono more willing Ia
proht by The good example of n neighbor,
canno' oil course object TO Offering my mite
10 Tie common stock, trusting that, like the
WIDOW mite, II will he received with the
same liberal feelings with which il is offer
cd. A The age ofeighteen took possession
VI large farm within six miles OF BaIti.
more, which had been tenanted out for up
wards oil III years, without any restrictions
10 you who have personal acquaintance
WIN II, II would be unnecessary TO say, that
IL was completely worn out but a stranger
may form some idea OF its miserable conti-
tion, hen ! assure you, that for several years
neiere took charge of IT, the income from
ouo sctes, did not amount to s $50 per wear.
l soon discovered that il was perfect folly 10
farm poor land, and directed my energies to
improving. My attention was soon directed
10 the lime, by an old English gentleman
who had lately bought in my neighborhood
nut so strong were The prejudlces OF the far.
mers generally, TO trying visionary noiions,'
that II was thought only those who had mo-
ney to throw away could afford 10 use il; and
rs had none TO spare, | concluded 10 follow
The example of my "oid experienced & most
thrifty neighbours" by sending load of
WOOD 10 the city, and bringing back a load of
ashes. This continued for several years by
which time was FULLY convinced, ii was ,ou
slow business, for discovered that BY the
Time ! would reach the third or fourth field,
should have TO go the rounds again; besides
with all my industry through the winter, we
coniu not get up more ashes than would ma
nure I'D or II acres. consequently requiring
~ years 10 Improve 200 or 240 acres This
thoughf would never do; TO look for ward
10 growing gray at so slavish business was
rather dull prospect for man Of my san
guine temperament. In the meantime had
eeen watching closely the effect OF lime on
my old English neighbours farm, and was by
This time convinced that there was something
more than Customary no,ions'' in the use Of
lime, end at once looked 10 lime as the only
way for me 10 get along, but how to manage
II was the diflicuity-I had not the ready
cash TO buy with, and was afraid 10 go in
debt. saw an abundance of limestone a.
bout three miles above me, which seemed 10
oe lille valued, and knowing | had plenty
oi wood, soon went 70 calculating what il
would cost me 10 haul the stone and burn the
lime, and at once satisfied my self that by de-
ing Inc work myself, the cash expenses
would not exceed or 10 cents bushel,
whist should have TO pay lime burners 81
cents. at once went TO work TO build a
Kiln that would burn 1900 bushels, and new.
er snail forget the concern il occasioned a.
mong my friends. Those whe lived in the
mifsi OF limestone, thought il impossible my
experiment would succeed having such dis
lance 10 haul my stone, whilst my cold eX.
PerIenced nejgbbors" still though, il money
thrown away 10 put lime on the land and
never shall forget the earnes,ness with which
an old and valued friend Mr.. Il, admonshe9
me OF The hazard i was running, and the Sc.
ri6usness with which he attempted 10 dissusde
me rem my "wild notion :" the boy, be W as
sure, would ruin himself, for the old gentle
man well knew, that my cash means we're
very slender "The boy ;" however, persis>
ted, and am sure would not exchange the
profits of my lime kiln, for that of some of
The gold mines. Every day convinced me
more strongly that bu! for my lime kiln,
should have been broken farm. NY kiln
was scarcely under way before the example
was followed by another, and now, after a
lapse of Scr 10 years, they are as ihickIy
dotted over The neighborhood as you w iii
ma IN any part of the country where they
have limestone on the spot, and it has be.
cone proyerbial saying, that wbereev err
you see lime kiln, Chat man is well 10
do" AS to the mode of applying it, have
ever pursued this system, viz spreading il
on the SUI face, the quantity depending on
the condition Of the land on very sterile soil
the quantity should not exceed SO bushels
per acre, and doubt very much whether the
product OF any land will be increased for the
hrst few years by larger quantity but
where Gas IS The case with yself, } it is i'm
portant 10 save manual labor, YOU NAV safe
~ pu' on land that has a sod on il, from I2O
10 lou bushels per acre, and no doubt the ef,
iect VIII continue tor many years longer than
u smaller quantity was applied. On nv
idrm have two kinds of soil, the gray rock
and graveliy soil lime aCls powerfully on
either but most so on the gray rock and I
ma VIII admit of a much larger quantity
oelng used OF time; land that would not
oilng more Than three barrels Of Germ to tho
acre, J am confident has often by one dres-
sing OF lime been made 10 produce the first
year from D 10 z barrels; and land that few
yefs since was covered with poverty grass.
ana o'Iar bushes, now produces me fine crops
" umo.by, corn and wheat. IL is highly
gratifying to see the eagerDess with which
The young farmers of my neighborhood are
Improving with lime, and the white heaps in
the spring afford delightful variety to the
appearance OF the neighborhood. As long
are never read, will cut
this short, with the promise to write you a
gain. Yours, &c. VIC.
Baltimore County, Nov. %.
a GREAT CALF.-wej learn from the