OF EARTH. 33 



Earth is also sometimes improved by mixtures of fern, rotten leaves, 

 and the poriture of old wood, the haulm of beans, peas, and other 

 legumina, which heat and accelerate concoction ; for which, and all other 

 medications, the nature of the mould is carefuUy to be examined, that 

 application be made accordingly ; as for instance, if it be sandy, or other 

 light mixed earth, to imbody it with something of a fatter nature, as 

 lime or marl, (for I yet forbear the touch of ordure or animal composts, 

 as the least natural,) and be sure so to stir and lay it (especially if lime) 

 that it may not sink too deep and suddenly, as it is apt to do, and so de- 

 sert the surface-mould, where it should do the feat, and therefore it is to 

 be the oftener renewed. But marl enters as properly here, and so does 

 mud, slub of slimy waters, especially if the soil be gravelly and mixed, 

 which it will sadden and impinguate, and consequently bind ; but if the ' 

 gravel be wet and cold, lime is preferable : wherefore the nature of 

 the mould should be well examined before the application : as here 

 arenous and sandy earth wants ligature, and besides, consisting of sharp 

 and asperous angles, wounds and galls, curls and dwarfs our plants, with- 

 out extraordinary help to render the passages more slippery and easy ; 

 therefore relenting chalk, or chalk-marl, is also profitable, with calcina- 

 tions of turf, or sea- wreck, where it is at hand ; and if the soil be exceed- 

 ingly bibulous, spread a layer or couch of loam, discreetly mingled at the 

 bottom, to entertain the moisture. In the mean time, there are yet some 

 plants which thrive almost in nothing so well as in sand alone, or with 

 very little mixture, nor that of any dung : so melons are said to grow in 

 Jamaica, and some vast timber-trees have little or no mould adhering to 

 their roots ; such is that beautiful stranger the Japan Lily, called by 

 those of Guernsey (from whence we only have them) La Belle cle nuit ; 

 and a certain palm of the same Japan, which shrinks and dries at the 

 least touch of water, as if it were laid befpre the fire, which is, it seems, 

 the only remedy that restores it, or the sudden replanting it in scales of 

 iron, or the most burning sand. But what if sand itself, however vul- 

 garly reputed, be not so hot or interiorly ardent as it is given out to be ? 

 Indeed, for being of an open and loose contexture, it is apt to put forth 

 a forward spring, as more easily admitting the solar rays ; but it does not 

 continue, and is an infirmity which may be remedied with loam, which 

 not only unites it closer for the present, but is capable in time to alter 



Volume 11. 3 K 



