Sect. I. Agriculture and Vegetation. 105 



of i oz. to 3lb. of earth, appeared to 

 have very good effects at firftj but thefe 

 afterwards declined. The ears were good, 

 though not many. Was the oil in too 

 great quantity? Was it not fufficiently 

 attenuated by the falts in the earth; and, 

 by that means, did it not block up the 

 mouths of the radical veflels ? Had it not 

 fufficient time to incorporate with the 

 earth ? Thefe are queftions which I cannot 

 refolve. 



Cor. 5. It appears, that faltpetre, in the 

 proportion of i oz, to 6 Ib. of earth, rather 

 retarded than promoted vegetation. This 

 indeed furprifed me, as I generally believed 

 nitre to be of a very fruitful nature ; nay, 

 the very caufe of fertility. It does not 

 feem to have been employed in too great 

 quantity neither. Its great reputation for 

 fertility would make one cautious in 

 doubting that efFecl:, without a fufficient 

 number of experiments to fupport that 

 opinion. 



Cor. 



