THE CULTURE OF PLANTS 



Binding grounds, which will not rake as you delve, 

 if dry and hard, trenching and fallowing exposeth 

 them to be softened by weather as is said. But if 

 wet and tough, mix with ashes, sea-sand, &c. in cul- 

 turing. 



For preparing my composts, I use a pit, wherein 

 sometimes I make a hot-bed, made oblong, about 

 four foot deep, as I set manures, vegetables, and 

 soils to fill it. Here I lay all kindes or sorts with 

 stratumsof earth, as horse, neat, sheep, pigeons and 

 poultrie-manure, ferns, weeds, leaves, soot, ashes, 

 sticks, saw-dust, feathers, hair, bones, urine, scour- 

 ing of pondes, ditches, blood, pickle, brine, sea- 

 water, the cleansing of a house or office, &c. I let 

 them lye a year at least, but not above two. Then 

 I take them out, and then stirre, air, mingle and 

 work them with fresh earth or by themselves, as 

 I have occasion, till they become sweet and of an 

 agreeable scent, yet retaining their virtue ; this 

 frees them from the noxious qualities they other 

 wayes retaine, and consequently are not so apt to 

 gender or produce worms, weeds, and mushrooms, 

 instead of wholsome and pleasant plants, fruits, and 

 roots for the table. 



Observe what manures are proper for the soil. 

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