3 o O/DuNG. Chap. IV. 



bles, and divides the Earth very much : This is the 

 chief, and almoit only Ufe of Dung : For, as to the 

 pure earthy Part, the Quantity is fo very fmall, 

 that, after a perfect Putrefaction, it appears to bear 

 a moft inconsiderable Proportion to the Soil it is de- 

 fign'd to manure : and therefore, in that refpect, is 

 next to nothing. 



Its fermenting Quality is chiefly owing to the Salts 

 wherewith it abounds-, but a very little of this Salt 

 applied alone to a few Roots of almoft. any Plant, 

 will (as, in my Mint Experiments, it is evident com- 

 mon Salt does) kill it. 



This proves, that its Ufe is not to nourifh, but 

 to diflblve •, i. e. Divide the terreftrial Matter, 

 which affords Nutriment to the Mouths of Vegetable 

 Roots. 



It is, I fuppofe, upon the Account of the acrimo- 

 nious fiery Nature of thefe Salts, that the Florifls 

 have banifh'd Dung from their Flower-Gardens. 



And there is, I'm fure, much more Reafon to pro- 

 hibit the Ufe of Dung in the Kitchen-Garden, on 

 Account of the ill Tafte it gives to efculent Roots 

 and Plants, efpecially fuch Dung as is made in great 

 Towns. 



'Tis a Wonder how delicate Palates can difpenfe 

 with eating their own and their Beafts Ordure, but a 

 little more putrefied and evaporated •, together with 

 all Sorts of Filth and Naftinefs, a Tincture of which 

 thofe Roots muft unavoidably receive, that grow 

 amongft it. 



Indeed I do not admire, that learned Palates, ac- 

 cuftom'd to the Gout of Silphium, Garlicky la Chair 

 venee^ and mortify'd Venifon, equalling the Stench 

 and Ranknefs of this Sort of City-Muck, fhould re- 

 lilh and approve of Plants that are fed and fatted by 

 its immediate Contact. 



People who are fo vulgarly nice, as to naufeate 

 thefe modifh Dainties, and whofe fqueamim Stomachs 



even 



