OF EARTH. 61 



Hair, horn-shavings, bones, skins, leather, &c. are deeply to be buried, 

 and so as not to touch, but lie about the roots : these, with rags, coarse 

 wool, and pitch-marks, improve the earth, as being full of volatile salts, 

 drawing and retaining the dews. Fish is likewise spread to great ad- 

 vantage of grounds, where it is to be had in plenty ; and for being 

 quickly consumed, may soonest be applied °. Vv^'e come now to vege- 

 tables. 



The marc and pressings of the grape make a good compost, and so do 

 lees of wine mingled with mould. This is of singular comfort to the 

 roots of orange-trees and case-plants ; and if you sift a little brick-dust 

 with it, and bury it near the roots of rosemary, the plant will thrive 

 wonderfully : it may be a laudable compost for moist ground, where that 

 vegetable grows so unwillingly. 



The leaves of trees are profitable for their own fruit, and natural, being- 

 well rotted, and not musty : the peach-leaf, hurtful to cattle, is excel- 

 lent for the tree from which it falls ; and the walnut-leaf, noxious to 

 gre.ss, is helpful to the tree. 



Duck-weed, the slime and spongy ouze of stagnant waters, mixed 

 with proper mould, make a kind bed for aquatics. 



Saw-dust, rotten-wood, found in the hollow of decayed trees, under 

 the stacks, and where trees grow thick together, as in great and old 

 woods, but especially that which is taken out of an inveterate willow- 

 tree, is preferable to any other for the raising of seedlings of choice plants, 

 mixed, as it should be, with a little loam, lime-rubbish, and mould, as we 

 have taught. This and the rest being well ventilated, is of great effect 

 to loosen and mellow ground, as tenacious of moisture. 



° In all towns upon the sea-coast, the refuse of fish may be obtained upon moderate 

 terms. It is matter of surprise that this hint of our excellent author, given in the year 

 1675, should have operated so little, that at this time (1778) the use of refuse fish is hardly 

 known. The sea, with generous bounty, throws at the feet of the husbandman her richest 

 treasures, and invites him to partake with freedom ; but, instead of embracing the prof- 

 fered riches, he drives his team to some distant town to purchase, at a high rate, what the 

 watery elements offer without a price. 



