86 A TREATISE ON THE CONNECTION OF 



THIS salt is soluble in about three and a half times its 

 weight of cold water, and is to be had in unlimited 

 quantities from sea-water, salt springs, and salt mines. 

 It never yet has been fully ascertained, whether it is be- 

 neficial or injurious to vegetation. Its fertilizing powers 

 have been highly extolled by some, whilst others have 

 positively denied their efficacy. It is probable, that any 

 power it may possess, in promoting vegetation, depends 

 on its septic quality, or power it has of assisting pu- 

 trefaction, when mixed in small or due proportions with 

 dung or vegetable substances ; though in large quanti- 

 ties it is antiseptic, and prevents putrefaction. * 



^ 



These different effects -of sea salt are the best explana- 

 tion that can be given of the several opinions formed of 

 this article as a manure, which, applied in small quanti- 

 ties, may prove beneficial to certain soils,; whilst, in large 

 quantities, it. must be injurious to all. 



Exclu- 



* Vide Sir JON PRINGLE'S Essays. 



