Lime from Kilbride is in high repute both for
manure and building. It generally takes a strong
band: and some of it, especially what is produced
in Hairmyres, has this peculiar quality, that, when
properly mixed, and wrought warm, as the workmen
express themselves, it very readily takes a firm
band in water. For this reason it is used in build-
ing bridges.

No lime that comes to Glasgow, if we except the
Netherwood lime belonging to Mr. Glassford, in
so great estimation for houfe-plaster, as lime
from Kilbride. But care must be taken in preparing
it. If wrought new, that is, soon after slacking,
it rises in blisters. These are produced
by what the workmen call 'particles' in the plaster.


These particles, When examined, are found to be
either small pieces of cinders, or coal, that have
got among the plaster; or small fragments of shells
corraloides &c. which have not been thoroughly
decomposed during the slacking of the lime. There
seems to be something in the construction, or composition
of thefe crystallized substances that prevents
them from falling down into powder, so readily as
the rest of the stone. Afterwards, however, they
swell, by absorbing moisture from the air, and there
by occasion the blisters above-mentioned. This is
entirely prevented by properly souring the lime be
fore it is wrought into plaster*.

Besides a tendency, to rise in blisters the lime from
Hairmyres has been found to lose its hardness and
consistency and to fall down into powder, after it
had been for some time on the wall. A considerable
quantity of moisture seems necessary to make this
uncommon lime retain its solidity. Owing to this quality,
however, it may in some cases be preferable to most
other kinds of lime. Its peculiarities are probably owing
to a considerable quantity of selenite and manganese,
that appear to he in the stone



*Lime is, by workmen, said to be soured when after being
slacked, it is for a considerable time kept wet. During this
stage of the preparation, all the parts of the stone that were not
decomposed, and so readily slacked as the rest have time to be
thoroughly incorporated in the mass.