Chap. XVI. Of Ridges. 251 



firffc proved, that the Surface of Earth could produce 

 and maintain as many Vegetables or Plants as could 

 ftand thereon in an erect Pofture; which Supposition 

 is as impoflible, as that half an Acre mould produce 

 and maintain and Hecatomb, without Mr. Bradley's 

 teaching Oxen to live upon Air for their Food, as he 

 thinks Van Helmonfs Tree did. 



All expert Hufbandmen muft needs be convinced, 

 that the greateft Crop of Vegetables that ever grew, 

 might ftand in an erect Pofture, upon a twentieth 

 (and I may fay the Hundredth) Pare of the Surface that 

 produced it; therefore there muft be Nineteen Parts 

 for the Roots to fpread, unoccupied by the Trunks 

 Stems, or Stalks. 



And tiio 5 it be true, than an Hill will fupport no 

 more of thefe, than its Bafe, when placed in an 

 erect Pofture, clofe together, as in a Sheaf; yet 

 this clofe Pofition is only proper for them when they 

 are dead, and require no more Nourifhment than 

 Houfes and Pales do ; and confequently require no 

 Room but to ftand on. Therefore this Argument 

 of Mr. Bradley's muft not be admitted in vegetative 

 Growth, where there is always required Nineteen 

 times more Room in the Surface, for the Ufe of the 

 Roots, than what the Stems, Trunks, or Stalks, do 

 pofiefs upon it : And the more Room there is tor the 

 Roots, the greater Number of Plants may be pro- 

 duced. 



Neither can I admit, that all Vegetables or Plants 

 have an erect Method of Growth ; becaufe the con- 

 trary is feen in Chamomile, and divers other Vege- 

 tables, whichhave an horizontal Method of Growth. 



But what is more material to this Purpofe, to be 

 obferved, is, that all Vegetables have horizontal 

 Roots, and Roots parallel to the Earth's Surface or 

 Superficies; and unlefs thofe Roots have a fufficient 

 Superficies of Earth to range in, for Nourifhment 

 of a Plant, the Stem and Branches cannot profper, 



what- 



