( U3 ) 



In this view, we are chiefly to regard its operation in the 

 earth, and whether in its diforganizing procefs, it converts the 

 whole, or a part only of the animal and vegetable fubflances 

 with which it is in conta6l into the immediate pabuhim or 

 food of plants J and that the remainder, by fiibfequent union 

 with other bodies, becomes locked up as it were in an in- 

 foluble ftate, but capable of being diflblved again, and 

 converted into vegetable food, by the application of acids- 

 or alkali, is a queftion of too much importance to the 

 agriculture of thefe kingdoms, to be carelefsly overlooked 

 by the chemical agriculturift ; as thereby a fupply of vege- 

 table food may be difcovered, which if fatisfadorily ex- 

 plained, and placed in a puint of view, fo as to enable the 

 occupiers of old, and apparently exhaufted, chalked, an3 

 limed lands, to reflore and bring into adion that quantity 

 of vegetable food, which may have lain dormant for ages 

 in their refpedive farms, would be a difcovery indeed! 

 The perfon who by fuperior talents, and unwearied labour,, 

 fliall be fo fortunate to develop this myflerious fuggeflion to 

 mankind, will alfuredly rank higher in the eftimation of 

 man in general, and the inhabitants of thefe kingdoms in 

 particular, than any of the moft juftly celebrated charadlers 

 of antient or modern times. 



It has jufl been obferved, that fuch a difcovery would 

 apply as well to the relief of the old chalked, as to that of 

 the old limed lands. From the prefent mode of applying 

 lime, by the time that it reaches the field, it becomes quite 

 effete, and differs very little from its raw (late, in that of 

 chalk, faving than in its more completely perfedl, and im- 

 palpable pulverization, its caufticity is lofl and expended in 

 the dung heap, and the gas or vapour there generated and 

 thrown off, and which in its proper fituation, would have 

 materially aided a growing crop, is improvidently loft, as 



a benefit to the farmer, and diflipated by the winds. 



Where 



