CH. 11.] THE ROOT. 109 



leaves, ttc, were conveyed to a hole or pit, and, -^ith 

 every single horse load, and with barrow loads in 

 proportion, a bushel of salt and half a bushel of lime 

 were incoi-porated, it would, in a few months, form a 

 mass of decayed compost of the most fertilizing qua- 

 lity ; the Hme retaining many of the gases evolved 

 during the putrefaction of the vegetable matter, and 

 the salt combining with the lime to destroy noxious 

 animals, which might form a nidus in the mass. By 

 this plan, nearly all the carbonaceous matters of the 

 refuse vegetables are retained ; by burning, nearlv all 

 of them are dissipated. The forming of a compost, 

 such as that recommended, is justified and approved 

 by the experience of many. 



Stable manure, and all decomposing animal and 

 vegetable substances, have a tendency to promote 

 the decay of stubborn organic remains in the soil, on 

 the principle that putrescent substances hasten the 

 process of putrefaction in other organic bodies \\-ith 

 which they come in contact. Salt, in a small pro- 

 portion, has been demonstrated by Sir I. Pringle, to 

 be gifted \\dth a similar septic property ; and that 

 lime rapidly breaks down the texture of organized 

 matters is well kno^n. 



There is no doubt that rich soils, or those abound- 

 ing in animal and vegetable remains, are less liable 

 to change in temperature with that of the incumbent 

 atmosphere, than those of a poorer constitution. 



