They should understand the properties and effects, and 

 superior affinities of alkalis and acids; as well as the 

 names, properties, and compounded eleclrive attractions 

 attendant on the mixture of the different neutral salts, 

 and their effects on vegetation. They should be well ac- 

 quainted with the powers of lime, and should clearly and 

 ^distinctly comprehend the putrefactive and oxygenating 

 ^processes; as well as the consequences resulting from the 

 action of fire on the vegetable matter contained in the 



soil. 







The first step that a cultivator of the ground should 

 take, when possessed of the above information, is to 

 ascertain by experiments, in what proportions chalk, 

 clay, sand, magnesia, and vegetable matter exist in 

 the soil, in the different parts of the farm he purposes to 

 cultivate ; in order that he may, from such information, 

 be enabled to administer t each part those particular 

 substances that it may require, to constitute it rich 

 ; and fertile mould. A soil of this description ought 

 to contain a due proportion of the simple earths, 

 and of the remains of vegetable and animal bodies, 

 To enable him to make the requisite experiments, 



he 



