Lime use in agriculture and coal thumb|280px|Lime kilns in Porth Clais, Wales; 2021 Knowledge of its value in agriculture is also ancient, but agricultural use only became widely possible when the use of coal made it cheapPlatt, Colin (1978). Medieval England, BCA, , pp. 116–7 in the coalfields in the late 13th century, and an account of agricultural use was given in 1523.Sir Anthony Fitzherbert, Boke of Husbandrye, 1523 The earliest descriptions of lime kilns differ little from those used for small-scale manufacture a century ago. Because land transportation of minerals like limestone and coal was difficult in the pre-industrial era, they were distributed by sea, and lime was most often manufactured at small coastal ports. Many preserved kilns are still to be seen on quaysides around the coasts of Britain.
Lime use in agriculture and coal thumb|280px|Lime kilns in Porth Clais Wales; 2021 Knowledge of its value in agriculture is also ancient but agricultural use only became widely possible when the use of coal made it cheapPlatt Colin (1978) Medieval England BCA  pp 116–7 in the coalfields in the late 13th century and an account of agricultural use was given in 1523Sir Anthony Fitzherbert Boke of Husbandrye 1523 The earliest descriptions of lime kilns differ little from those used for small-scale manufacture a century ago Because land transportation of minerals like limestone and coal was difficult in the pre-industrial era they were distributed by sea and lime was most often manufactured at small coastal ports Many preserved kilns are still to be seen on quaysides around the coasts of Britain