AGRICULTURE WITH CHEMISTRY. 



FOSSILE COAL 



Is an inflammable substance, formed of the remains of 

 antediluvian vegetables, animal juices, and mineral or 

 metallic substances, combined or mixed with earthy 

 matters. Like peat it loses its inflammability by expo- 

 sure to air, and becomes oxygenated. Saline compounds 

 are thence formed ; they consist of green vitriol, Epsom 

 salt, phosphat of lime, phosphat of iron, together with 

 earth of iron, and a proportion of the uncombined 

 simple earths. 



Oxygenated fossile coal is likewise capable of solution 

 by saline substances, and of producing the same good 

 effects in promoting vegetation as oxygenated peat, when 

 treated in a similar manner. 



Such coal as is most applicable for this purpose is 

 found at the crop or outburst of most seams, particu- 

 larly those which are of a soft tender nature, and easily 

 aded upon by the joint influence of air and water. It 



will 



