234 



A TREATISE ON THE CONNECTION OF 



soils are peculiarly fitted for the application of alkaline 

 salts, that the vegetable matter which had become oxy- 

 genated and inert, by frequent culture and exposure of 

 fresh surfaces to the air, may by these means be dis- 

 solved. Notwithstanding the fertility of this black soil, 

 it still requires the aid of manure or urine, as appears by 

 Mr. EDWARDS'S observations on the soil of Barbadoes ; 

 and in his remarks on the soil of Jamaica, he says, 

 "the urine of cattle is the best of all manures ;" which practi- 

 cally corroborates the Author's theory on the action 

 which the 'volatile alkali, contained in urine, has in dis- 

 solving oxygenated peat, or oxygenated vegetable matter, and of 

 which, so large a proportion is contained in many of 

 the soils in the West Indies. The prevalence of this 

 black, or vegetable soil, supercedes the necessity of sending 

 to the West Indies the preparations of peat formerly re- 

 commended, this soil requiring only alkaline salts as a sub- 

 stitute for the urine of cattle, which is by no means to be 

 had in such quantities as the ground would require, to in- 

 sure abundant crops. 



Mr. EDWARDS'S remarks are very judicious as to sub- 

 stituting coal for boiling the sugar, and the distillation 



of 



