PART IV. 



AGRICULTURE. 



195 



others from experimental inquiry. From these studies we derive 

 the knowledge of such animals as are subservient to man; of 

 such as, though apparently useless, destroy others which would 

 do more harm ; as crows, magpies, and others, devour grubs and 

 worms; ducks and hens slugs and caterpillars, &c. We also 

 learn to rear the young of tender birds, or to feed others pro- 

 perly, by providing them with their peculiar food: thus we 

 give ant-eggs to young turkeys, worms to fish confined in ves- 

 sels, &c. Numberless useful facts might be added from such 

 an interesting study ; but these are sufficient in this place to 

 shew its importance. 



The Mineral Kingdom may be considered, 1st, under 

 the vulgarly reputed elements of fire, water, earth, and air; and 

 2dly, under chemical decomposition and combination. Under 

 the first head, extensive and useful information may be ob- 

 tained respecting the application of heat, the uses of water, the 

 diversity of soils, stones, and metals ; and lastly, the weather. 

 Under the second head considerable information may be had 

 respecting manures — the process of vegetation, malting*, &c. 



The process of malting is purely vegetative, and consists merely in an artificial 

 method of bringing the vegetative principle of seeds into a state of germination. 

 This state is carried even to the length of placentation and radiation, when it is 

 found by experience, as yet very imperfect, that the greatest portion of the saccha- 

 rine matter of vegetables is then in a disengaged state, and fit to be converted into 

 ardent spirit. It is singular, that the specific temperature, or the entire process, 



