EFFECT OF MARLING. — REWARDS OF NATURE. 101 



ence and promote the growth of the whole plant, and the discharge of 

 the functions of all its parts. 



Though manures in the soil act immediately through the roots, they 

 stimulate the growth of the entire plant; and though the application of 

 a top-dressing may be supposed first to affect the leaf, yet the beneficial 

 result of the experiment depends upon the influence which the dressing 

 may exercise on every part of the vegetable tissue. 



In connection with this part of the subject, therefore, I shall only 

 further advert to a very remarkable fact mentioned by Sprengel, which 

 seems, if correct, to be susceptible of important practical applications. 

 He states that it has very frequently been observed in Holstein, that if, 

 on an extent of level ground sown with corn, some fields be marled, and 

 others left unmarled, the corn on the latter portions will grow less luxuri- 

 antly and will yield a poorer crop than if the whole had been unmarled. 

 Hence he adds, if the occupier of the unmarled field would not have a 

 succession of poor crops, he must marl his land also.* 



Can it really be that nature thus rewards the diligent and the impro- 

 ver? Do the plants which grow on a soil in higher condition take from 

 the air more than their due share of the carbonic acid or other vegetable 

 food it may contain, and leave to the tenants of the poorer soil a less pro- 

 portion than they might otherwise draw from it ? How many interest- 

 ing reflections does such a fact as this suggest ! What new views does 

 it disclose of the fostering care of the great Contriver — of his kind encour- 

 agement of every species of virtuous labour ! Can it fail to read to us a 

 new and special lesson on the benefits to be derived from the application 

 of skill and knowledge to the cultivation of the soil ? 



' Wenn namlich aiif einer Feldflur Stiick um Sliick gemergelt worden isl, so wachsen 

 die Friichte auf den nicht gemergelten Feldern, auch wenn hier alle friiheren verhaltnisse 

 ganz dicselben bleiben, nicht mehrsogut, als eliedem; wodurch die Besitzer jener Felder, 

 wenn sie nicht fortwahrend geringe Erndten haben wollen, geniithigt sind, gleichfalls zu 

 mergein. Aus dieser hochst vichtigen Erscheinung, die man sehr hdujig in Holsteinschen 

 bemerkt, &c. — Sprengel, Chemie fur iMndwirt/ixchqft, I., p. 303. 



5* 



