The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-10-20

the SAFETY lamp, lightning rod, steam pow
er, telcgraphs, Sc, &C., and if in SO manv
other things, chemistry had been of 50 much
Importance, why not in agriculture!
AT the conclusion of his address he rec
commended, that farmers in making exper-
iments should be careful to note down
carefully every minute matter pertaining
to them; stating that the published results
were often useless because OF Incomplete
ness.
DR.. HlGGINs' 2ND LEcrrRE.-The lee
ture OF Thursday evening was more prac-
teal than that Of Wednesday. He re-
capituIated some of the points he be-
fore touched upon-spoke of the alternate
praise and censure bestowed upon di f1er-
ent manures, as growing out of difference
in soils, md proceeded to speak of the diff
terent kinds OF lime in use, and of their diff
ferent qualities. The soil in the upper
part of this county, 50 far as he had exam
ined it, was deficient in magnesia-par-
ticuarly the red clay soils, and they there
fore should have the kinds OF lime con-
tanning the largest amount of that ingredi-
ent. a kind Of lime used in the lower
counties, called New York lime, contained
in the 100 parts, 81 of lime, 81 of magne-
STA, and the balance sand and other impu-
rites. Reading lime, AZ parts lime and
% magnesia sckuylkill lime, one speci-
men 50 per ct. quick lime and 40 magne-
STA; another specimen 81 lime, and 26
magncsia. Baltimore county air-slaekcd
lime 90 per ct. impurty and so per cent
lime-no nagneaia. For the upper parts
OF the county, he recommended the use of
Schuylkill or WrightsviIe lime, as the
kinds containing most magnesa, which
ingredient was more wanted in that sec
ton than any other. Oyster shell lime
contains but little or'no magnesia-gas
house lime, which can be had at very
moderate price, contains IS per cent OF
lime and of plaster Of Paris.
To ascertain, then, the proportions of
lime and magnesia, in the various kinds OF
lime in the market, and the ingredient de-
ficient in the soil, is one of the great uses
of chemistry; and the great utility of
blending scientific research with practica,
knowledge, could not fail to appear.
The Doctor had not been in that part Of
the county where mari is found. He made
this remark about mari; that the appear
ance Of much she'll amongst it does not in
dictate a large quantity Of lime. that often
that containing many shells there was but
little lime, and vice versa.
The great mat,erln applying lime TO
land is 10 have it fne-the finer the BET
ter. so that 1t may be more thoroughly in
corporated with the soil. When allow
ed get into the consistency of hard NOR
tar and put on in Jumps; it is of littlo ben
Eft The best way of applying lime is
to fallow up your land, and put it on top,
and harrow it in well.
He does not approve of spreading lime
on sod and allowing it to lie there. Lime
in composts is good enough plan, but it
Can only be so used 10 a limited extent
1t is bad plan to nu' lime IN barn yards
Its elasticity drives off the virtue Of
the manure II soil cont,in enough of
a given ingredient, more than that is use
ess; for instance soil with six per cent
of magnesia in it, is no more productive
than that which has only seven tenths el
one percent. Magnesia is sometimes in
ijurious--in that case vegetable manure
must be applied.
The above is very brief synopsis Of
the second lecure--time forbdding us to
| make it more tull
The Agricultural interest, said the doc
tor, has been taxed heavily to support the
other interests Of the State, and it is no tn
ing more than right that it should have
an opportunity to have experiments rade
for its benefit. at the cost of the State
He alluded to the kindness everywhere
extended TO him, and hoped that his la
bors, which he had the qualification to