224 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



the crop, but not as it respects vegetation it- 

 self ; for a soil of the above description often 

 produces a most plentiful crop of sorrel. In 

 this case, as it applies to the future improve- 

 ment of the land, the growth of sorrel should 

 as much as possible be encouraged, even by 

 sowing the seed for this especial purpose. 

 The vegetation of this plant is, no doubt, pro- 

 moted in the soil by the oxalic or soreline 

 acid, formed by the combination of oxygen, or 

 pure air, with the basis of soreline acid con- 

 tained in the vegetable matter of the soil ; and 

 so long as the vegetable matter remains in a 

 state fit to become oxygenated, it will have a 

 tendency to promote the growth of sorrel." 



It has been stated, that the juice or salt of 

 sorrel is a super-acidulated neutral salt, con- 

 sisting of the vegetable alkali and the oxalic 

 acid. This superabundant acid is inimical 

 to the growth of grain, or of such vegetables 

 or grasses as constitute the food of most ani- 

 mals, ^)ut which tendency in the soil, and in- 

 jurious consequences, are to be corrected by 

 the application of different substances, viz : 

 lime, chalk, magnesia, and alkaline salts ; and 

 also by paring and burning, which the Noble 

 Lord recommends to be done, when the sor- 

 rel is in its most luxuriant state. 



