THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3. 



derive their fuftinence, either immediately, 

 or ultimately, from vegetables, thefe, when 

 properly decompofed, become great promo* 

 ters of vegetation. Hence, dungs in gene- 

 ral are fuperior to other manures ; and are 

 the more valuable in their kinds, accord- 

 'ing to the proportion of oils they contain, 

 which are mod eafily reducible, by the ni- 

 trous acid of the air, into that fpecjes of 

 mucilage, allowed to be the eflential pabu- 

 lum or nutriment of plants. Our duty, 

 therefore, is to colled thefe with care, and 

 apply them with attention. 



The dunghill may alfo be confiderably 

 increafed by throwing the haulm, ftalks, 

 and leaves of all vegetables into a common 

 heap, letting them remain till well rotted, 

 and afterwards mixing them with lime, 

 marl, afties, foot, &c. or in the procefs of 

 colle&ion. Watering the whole frequent- 

 ly with the drainings of the dunghill, 

 would greatly enhance its value. Like a 

 good roajl, it fhould be well bajle d with its 

 own drippings *. 



CHAP- 



. * An obfervation that lately excited a hearty laugh, 

 from an epicure. 



