66 



A DISCOURSE 



haulm, and other litter trampled on in dirty streets, after it is a while 

 rotted and mingled. Mr. Ray tells us, that in some places about the 

 Alps, he found them sowing dust upon the snow, as he supposes, for 

 manure, and to fertilize the dissolution. 



Thus with no little industry, are found out the several kinds of com- 

 posts, and materials for improvement, and what is the most genuine and 

 true medicament of every soil for arable, pasture, or garden. I do not say 

 all, as if I thought there were no more ; for what, if indeed there should 

 be as many sorts of composts as there are of ferments or salts ; and as 

 many sorts of salts as there be of vegetables, or any other putrifiable 

 matter. The more there be, the greater ought to be our industry and 

 skill to be able to distinguish them, and to know how and when rightly 

 to apply them. 



Nor is it sufficient to consider the nature of the earth, mould, and se- 

 veral composts, but of the very plants themselves, for the application of 

 what you administer, be it for food or medicine ; as if they be cold of con- 

 stitution, to make use of the hotter composts ; if hot, to prescribe the 

 cold. For instance in a few of the most useful only : 



Fruit-trees do generally thrive with the soil of oxen and swine ; most 

 flowers, but especially roots, with that of sheep. Peter Hondius tells 

 us, (in his book entitled Dapes inemptce,) that by the sole application of 

 sheep-dung, he produced a radish root in his garden as big as half a 

 man's middle, which being hung up for some time in a butcher's shop, 

 people took it for a hog. 



Apples affect a pretty rich soil with a dash of loam, but they will bear 

 even in clay well soiled, and mixed with chalk, especially the more hardy 

 winter fruit ; and in chalk alone for some years ; but they produce, 

 though sweet, not so large fruit : but both apples and pears have a better 

 relish in grounds that are not over moist, and where they may stand 

 warm : and the last will prosper well enough where the soil is mixed 

 with gravel, and has a harder bottom. 



Cherries, summer and stone-fruit, such as have their roots like thrums, 

 desire a fine light mould, sand, or gravel, with chalk and good compost, 



