ON THE FOOD OF PLANTS. 



their value ; or that vegetables are as much af- 

 fected by both the quality and the quantity of 

 food, as animals are, but such is the case. 



That the state and condition of food when ad- 

 ministered to animals, determine its effects, is ge- 

 nerally understood : and it is precisely the case 

 with vegetables. Thus, whenever the nutritive 

 part of food is blended with a large portion of 

 filthy and impure matter, vegetables, like ani- 

 mals, become gross, bloated, and diseased. 



Although, (as I have before observed when 

 speaking of the leaves of plants,) a rapid growth 

 and large surface may be produced, this is of little 

 value as food for animals ; it is aqueous, vapid, 

 obnoxious, and of little solid value ; and plants 

 in such a state, are, in another point of view, like 

 animals, they are sterile, and seldom produce 

 their seed or fruit in perfection. And, therefore, 

 notwithstanding a great part of that which con- 

 stitutes vegetable and animal matter, may be 

 thrown off in the process of fermentation, it is im- 

 portant to consider, what those parts are, before 

 we attempt to appreciate their value. May it 

 not be necessary to the health of vegetables, 

 that a certain part should be expelled ? And, 

 although a portion of the more valuable part 

 may be wasted in the process of fermentation : 



