50 • -Experiments and Obfervations 



of uniting with an alkali, is attraded by the oils it finds in the 

 earth ; thefe it renders vifcious, and by its combination forms 

 fulphur, and thus is rather hurtful than ferviceable — on fuch 

 foils pulverized limeftone fhould be preferred. 



3d. It is lefs beneficial near the fea than at a diftance from it, 



ift. Because the v/inds that blow from the fea which are the 

 prevalent fummer winds, are probably lefs impregnated with 

 thofe alkaline fubflances which putrid animals and vegetables 

 afford, than thofe which blow over a large tra6l of land. 



2d, Because it appears from experiments made in Ireland, 

 that fea fait is contained there both in rain and fnow water. 

 Sea fait is compofed of the marine acid, and a foflil alkali, to 

 which latter the vitriolic acid found in Gypfiim has a greater 

 affinity than the marine acid ; it will therefore decompound 

 the fait and unite with the foflil alkali perhaps, (I fpeak with 

 deference, not knowing the fa6l) perhaps, I fay, the foflil alkali 

 may be unfriendly to vegetation, or not of a nature to be ab- 

 forbed by the plant. In this cafe on the folution of the fait 

 formed with itand the vitriolic acid,.the latter would be abforbed 

 fingly, and the foflil alkali being left, would form new combinations 

 with the marine acid, which is found in the atmofphere near the 

 fea, and be again converted into common fait, which is known to 

 have litde or no effeft as a manure. That the vitriolic acid 

 would be abforbed, I infer from the prefence of vitriolated 

 tartar in pearl afiies, which fhev/s that the acid mull have exifled 



