which, silicate of lime will be formed by the application of water-
slaked lime to those soils which contain silicates, whilst the remain-
ing ingredients of the decomposed rocks, as silicic acid, alkalies,
oxyds of iron and aluminum, (clay,) become liberated and fit to
improve the soil by their respective properties, either by their par-
ticipation in the formation of the body of the soil, (clay, iron, &c.)
or inasmuch as they are required as a direct nourishment for
plants, (alkaline salts, silicic acid.) This chemical action of water-
slaked lime takes place so much more readily, as the lime is abund-
antly soluble in water, and therefore capable of penetrating soils
thoroughly in all directions.

Water-slaked lime should never be applied to a soil, unless the
soil is perfectly dry or well drained, so that water cannot rest on
it. If it is applied to a wet soil, it may in most cases occur that
an action between lime and the sand in soil takes place, in conse-
quence of which a solid compound is formed similar to hydraulic
mortar, both in relation to its formation, and to its physical proper-
ties. The formation of this compound of course will prevent the
beneficial influence of the lime which we expect; the texture of
the soil will be injured, instead of being improved.

The quantity of water-slaked lime to be applied per acre, should
be between 20 and 50 bushels, (according to the quantity of un-
decomposed rocks present,) and the application should be made in
the fall on ploughed land, so that the lime may exercise its influ-
ence during the winter time.

The rational treatment of these soils is finally concluded by the
application of a heavy dressing of common stable manure, or the
turning in of green clover, as soon as the water-slaked lime has
been totally converted into carbonate of lime. Stable manure,
which will be converted into humus, prevents the too strongly and
quickly dissolving and extracting power of the water on those sub-
stances in soil which are soluble in water, and which were formed
previously by the action of the lime. The humus envelops these
substances, transforms them to less soluble salts, and reserves by
these means their surplus for a future time. Experience has
taught us that heavy rain-showers by running off from a soil which
contains a proper quantity of humus, take away only a very small
quantity of soluble salts, which they extract from the soil. Humus,
therefore, protects the nourishing power of a soil, without taking a
direct part in it, as was formerly supposed to be the case.

In Frederick county partly, and in Washington county, we
meet a soil which may generally be pronounced a stiff clayey soil.
Its color is dark brown or reddish, and its particles are granules,
united to each other by a clayey cement; showing the general
appearance of an alluvial soil of great capacity and productiveness.

In relation to an improvement in the physical properties of these
soils, the principal care must be directed to the restoration of their

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