1803. Re^'oieiv oftir Hunter^ s Georgical EJfuys, 203 



generally readied to confefs the extent of their native ignorance. 

 As knowledge increafes, they feel Inore difpofed to admit that 

 the road to perfedion is difficult, and that caution is necclTary in 

 every flep. 



Witliout indulging ourfelves, however, in abflra^l fcntiments, 

 in favour of the author, and of the work he has accornplifhed, 

 we fliall endeavour to prefent our readers with an analyfis of the 

 firft volume, leaving the others as a fource from which enjoy- 

 ment may be got, when tired and jaded with the examination 

 of more unfatisfa6tory writers. 



This volume is divided into two books, the firft containing 

 twenty four, and the fecond ten ellays ; one of which, viz. the 

 fourth, is devoted to a colk'£lion of experiments tranfmitted to the 

 author. We fliall ftate the lubjed of each eiiay, and make a few 

 remarks where neceffary. 



An appropriate differtation on the rife and progrefs of agricul- 

 ture intioduces the firft book ; but this contains intrinfic evidence 

 of having been wrote a good many years ago, probably at the 

 time of publiihing the original work; but as we have not the vo- 

 lume befide us, we cannot charge our recolk^dtion with the cir- 

 cumftance. Effay i. is o?i the noiiri/Jj?ne?it of 'vegetables, Dr 

 Hunter feems to be of opinion, and we think with juftice, that 

 oil is the chief food of plants, which is contrary to the theory of 

 TuU, who keenly contended that their food was earth. The 

 Do6lor ftrengthens his argument by appealing to the experience 

 of every farmer, whether vegetables, whofe feeds are of an oily 

 nature, are not the greateft impoverifhers. Upon this point 

 there can be no doubt. It is exemplified in the cafe of flax, 

 which, if allowed to ripen its feed, nearly deftroys the vege- 

 tative power of the foil, unlefs fupplied with an extraordinary- 

 quantity of manure. Some judicious obfervations on lime arc 

 included in this eflay. In addition to the univerfal principle, 

 oil, Dr H. thinks that the nitrous acid of the air is of great ef- 

 ficacy; but we do not confider his reafoning here as altogether fa- 

 tisfadory. 



2. On a rich and cheap compqfl, i^c. In this eflay, Dr Hunter 

 endeavours to bring his doctrine into a6lion, and propofes to 

 make a new compoft with American pot afli, train oil, and dry 

 mould or fand ; and this compoft, he thinks, will be equal to 

 rape duft, foot, and other hand-dreffings. He, however, can- 

 didly acknowledges its inferiority to dung; and, in this idea, we 

 decidedly concur. 



3. Oji vegetatiofij and the analogy hetiucen plants and afitmals. 

 This is a very ingenious paper, and probably will be prefented 

 entire on a future occafion. 



4. On^fleeps, Steeping of grain Is- rot a modern invention, but 



has 



