ON THE FOOD OF PLANTS. 



15k 



difTusion of nitrous salts, and that prevent the 

 formation of carburetted hydrogen ; and this is 

 done by mixing them with vegetable substances 

 and calcareous earths, lime, &c. and exposing 

 them, as much as possible, to the action of the 

 air and light. And, above all, that every means 

 be adopted to remove every tendency in the soil, 

 or the manure, to retain water in a state of stag- 

 nation ; for those plants which are the grand 

 objects of cultivation in husbandry, will never 

 grow healthy and prolific in stagnant water; 

 whatever food they may be supplied with ; nor 

 will the residuum of animal or vegetable matter, 

 decomposed by putrefaction in stagnant water, 

 either invigorate or sustain such vegetables. 



