The Conclufion. 363 



crop in September, they rarely thrive well, 

 unlefs in a cool moid fummer, by reafon of 

 £he too great perfpiration caufed by the funv* 

 mer's heat, which drys and hardens their 

 fibres before they are full grown. 



Tho' we have from thefe Experiments, 

 and from common obfervatiop, many proofs 

 of the great expanfive force, with which the 

 fibrous roots of plants fhoot, yet the lefs 

 refiftance thefe tender fhoots meet with, the 

 greater progrefs they will certainly make in 

 equal times : And therefore one confidera- 

 ble ufe of fallowing and trenching ground, 

 ^nd of mixing therewith feveral forts of com- 

 port, as Chalk, Lime, Marie, Mold, &c. 

 is not only thereby to replenish it with rich 

 manure, but alfo to loofen and mellow the 

 foil, not only that the air may the more 

 eafily penetrate to the roots, but alfo that 

 the roots may the more readily make vigo- 

 rous fhoots. And the greater proportion the 

 furface of the roots bears to the furface of 

 the plants above ground, fo much the greater 

 quantity of nourifhment they will afford^ 

 and confequently the plants will be the more 

 vigorous, and better able to weather it out s 

 againft unkindly feafons^ than thofe plants 



whofe 



