[ *9 3 



without fallowing, in that cafe fallowing is evi- 

 dently unneccflary, 



Qiiejlion $d. What arc thofc particles that arc 

 neceilary to vegetation ? 



The purport of this qucftion I underftand to 

 be, Of what nature or conftitution are thofc par* 

 tides which enter into the eflcnce of plants, afli- 

 milatc with it, and increafe their bulk; or, in 

 other words, which feed and fupport plants in 

 every ftage of their growth, from their firft cm- 

 brio (late to that of maturity, or higheft ftate of 

 perfection? 



For a rational folution to this queftion we muft 

 have recourfe to experience. Indeed no certain 

 conclufion can be drawn in the extenfive field of 

 agriculture, from data furnifhed by any other 

 means. All theories and hypothesis, whofe prin- 

 ciples originate in the imagination, are as vifio- 

 nary, deluiive, and untenable, as aerial caftles^ 

 whofe foundations are in the clouds. A man 

 may think ingenioufly, but he will rarely think 

 rightly, when he quits the fure guide of expe- 

 rience to purfue the flights of a glowing fancy, 

 which has no connection with or relation to the 

 eftablifhcd laws of nature. 



The 



