Principles of Part V. 



can get off in no other way than by evapora- 

 tion; a very flow method, when compared 

 to filtration. Farmers exprefs the effects of 

 water by faying, that it fours the ground. It 

 is not meant by this, that the ground becomes 

 really acid, but only that it is changed in its 

 nature, and rendered unfit for vegetation. 

 The natural product of this foil are, rufhes 

 and four grafs; which lafl appears in the 

 furrows, but feldom in the crown of the 

 ridge; is dry and taftelefs like a chip of 

 wood ; and feels rough, when ftroked back- 

 wards. The natural effect of ftagnating 

 water I take to be, its putting an entire flop 

 to the admiffion, and confequently to the 

 influence of the air. 



THIS excefs of moifture is carried of? by 

 a proper difpofition of the furrows, accord- 

 ing to the natural defcent of the ground, 

 by which the water will have an eafy paf- 

 fage to get away. It is likewife material 

 that the furrows mould be ftraight : for the 

 flraighter the furrow, the morter time will 



the 



