186 OF MANURE. 



of the soil, and attract moisture to it, but would 

 also give it the power to retain all the ammonia 

 which fell upon it dissolved in the rain during the 

 period of six months. 



The ashes of brown coal and peat often contain 

 silicate of potash, so that it is evident that these 

 might completely replace one of the principal con- 

 stituents of the dung of the cow and horse, and 

 they contain alsp some phosphates. Indeed, they 

 are much esteemed in the Wetterau as manure for 

 meadows and moist land. 



It is of much importance to the agriculturist, 

 that he should not deceive himself respecting the 

 causes which give the peculiar action to the sub- 

 stances just mentioned. It is known, that they 

 possess a very favourable influence on vegetation ; 

 and it is likewise certain, that the cause of this is 

 their containing a body, which, independently of 

 the influence which it exerts by virtue of its form, 

 porosity, and capability of attracting and retaining 

 moisture, also assists in maintaining the vital 

 processes in plants. If it be treated as an un- 

 fathomable mystery, the nature of this aid will 

 never be known. 



In medicine, for many centuries, the mode of 

 actions of all remedies was supposed to be concealed 

 by the mystic veil of Isis, but now these secrets have 

 been explained in a very simple manner. An unpo- 

 etical hand has pointed out the cause of the wonderful 

 and apparently inexplicable healing virtues of the 



