,512 A TREATISE ON THE CONNECTION Of 



They should understand the properties and effecls, and 

 superior affinities of alkalis and acids ; as well as the 

 names, properties, and compounded elecllrive attraclions 

 attendant on the mixture of the different neutral salts, 

 and their eife^ls on vegetation. They should be well ac- 

 quainted with the j:;owers of lime, and should clearly and 

 <listin(flly comprehend the putrefadtive and oxygenating 

 prrocesses ; as well as the consequences resulting from the 

 adlion of fire on the vegetable matter contained in the 

 soil. 



The first step that a cultivator of the ground should 

 take, when possessed of thxs above information, is to 

 ascertain by experiments, in what proportions chalk, 

 clay, sand, magnesia, and vegetable matter exist in 

 the soil, in the different parts of the farm he purposes to 

 cultivate; in order that he may, from such information, 

 be enabled to administer to each part those particular 

 substances that it may require, to constitute it rich 

 and fertile mould. A soil of this description ought 

 to contain a due proportion of the simple earths, 

 and of the remains of vegetable and animal bodies. — 

 To enable him to make the requisite experiments, 



he 



