146 APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES. 



the practice at a much earlier period, although, from 

 not understanding the theory of the practice, no 

 general improvement took place. In the year 1816, 

 an account was laid before the Horticultural Society 

 of a very successful mode of forcing grapes and nec- 

 tarines, as practised by Mr. French, an Essex farmer, 

 with very rude materials, and under unfavourable 

 circumstances. It is not a little remarkable, that, 

 although Mr. French himself correctly referred his 

 success to the skilful management of the atmospheri- 

 cal moisture of his forcing-houses, the subject was so 

 little understood at that time, that the author of the 

 account not only shrank from adopting the opinion, 

 but evidently, from the manner in which he speaks 

 of Mr. French's explanation, had no idea of its just- 

 ness. The method itself is sufficiently remarkable to 

 deserve being extracted. 



" About the beginning of March, Mr. French com- 

 mences his forcing, by introducing a quantity of new 

 long dung, taken from under the cow-cribs in his 

 straw yard ; being principally, if not entirely, cow 

 dung, which is laid upon the floor of his house, 

 extending entirely from end to end, and in width 

 about six or seven feet, leaving only a pathway 

 between it and the back wall of the house. The dung 

 being all new at the beginning, a profuse steam arises 

 with the first heat, which, in this stage of the process, 

 is found to be beneficial in destroying the ova of 

 insects, as well as transfusing a wholesome moisture 

 over the yot leafless branches ; but which would 

 prove injurious, if permitted to rise in so great a 



