^Q^ IMl^ROVlNGf POOR SOILS. 



Observations All the products of nature seem destined to perpetual 



r^P^hi'a'the change and alteration ; and the fibrous roots of plants 



improremeat appear intended by providence to produce the first stage in 



po rso. s. ^j^g transmutation of inert matter into life. Thus, by de- 



coirposition and absorptiouj earth becomes vegetable ; 



vegetable matter is no sooner decomposed in the stomach 



of animals, than it is capable of being converted into animal 



matter ; and when farther purified by the delicate organs of 



the human body, reaches the utmost perfection of created 



intelligence. * 



Having thus generally stated the necessity of a mixture of 

 earths, in the formation of a good soil, and pointed out the 

 reason for that necessity, I shall beg leave to particularize 

 a feiv things more in answer to the question. 



It has been a commonly received opinion, that oil is the 

 principal food of plants; but oil can no more enter the fine 

 vessels of plants, than any one of the simple earths ; it must 

 tlierefore be decomposed and resolved into its elements, as 

 well as any thing else. Oil may, and probably does, contain 

 a very large portion of the substance which constitutes the 

 chief food of plants in certain stages of their growth ; but 

 it must be decompounded to produce digestion, in the same 

 manner as we have proposed in the admixture of the different 

 earths. Alkalies and lime will render oil capable of mixing 

 Very intimately with water; and we are thence led to con- 

 elude, that they may contribnte to render it more digestible, 

 and thus capable of entering into tbe composition of the 

 plants destined to be nurtured. 



This doctrine may be farther illustrated by the process 

 which milk undergoes in the stomach and bowels — Milk 

 does not enter the lacteals of animals; but must undergo 

 decomposition, and be digested, as well as any other food, 

 _ before it can serve the purposes of nourishment. 



There are however many other things to be done, before 

 barren soils can be productive, and which may be be done 

 ■where the due admixture of the earths is not to be obtained. 



* " And the I^rd God formed Man of the dust of the ground 

 Genesis ii. 7." 



" For thou exist'st on many a thousand grains 

 that iseue out of dust.'' Shakespeare. 



Ther* 



