( H9 ) 



placed in the ground, as nearly as polllble to that point upon 

 the main root, where the lateral fibres are put forth for 

 feeding and fupporting the plant, and which in moft foils 

 will be found to be between an inch and a half and two 

 inches below the fettled furface of the field. Until thefe 

 roots are formed, the feed roots, or thofe protruded direflly 

 from the grain; are the only organs by which, through a 

 pipey cord, the plant can derive any poflible nourifhment. 

 The more remote therefore the grain or kernel is placed 

 from the crown of the plant, the more weak and languid 

 mufl: the circulation and fupply of thofe juices be, which in 

 the early growth of the plant, and before the unfolding of 

 its foliage, mufl form its principal, nay only fupport. Hence 

 the unhealthy appearance of young barley, and indeed that 

 of every other grain, when improperly put into the ground, 

 and injudicioufly covered. 



The caufe of the lofs in the plant of clover, upon the 

 tops of the heavy land ridges, appears equally clear and 

 conclufive. 



It is well known, that the roots of the clover act diredly 

 downwards, and to a confiderable depth. The highly ex^ 

 pofed fituation of thefe ridges, occafions the froft to a6l 

 with its fulled force, fpenetrating to their centre, and forming 

 a bone (if the word may be ufed) of ice, through the heart 

 of every ridge ; here, after the firft froft, the tap root of 

 the clover is ri vetted, whilft the frequent and alternate 

 freezing and thawing of the furface in the courfe of the 

 winter, fwells out, and burfts the top of the ridge ; thus 

 breaking the tap root, and dellroying the plant of the clover 

 ■« — hence its dellrudlion upon the tops of the ridges, and its 

 fafety in the furrows, where the plant is fortunately fecured 

 beyond the reach of fuch a fatal influence. 



A few^' 



