OF EARTH.

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unlefs it be very coarse and stony; in which case it should be well soiled,and the pit you plant in filled with rich mould, as far as the roots arelikely to extend before they reach the gravel, so as to make good spread;and this is to be renewed every third or fourth year; and for this reasonit is profitable sometimes to bait steril grounds, by laying your compostsat reasonable intervals, thereby to tempt and allure the roots towards it,and keep them from wandering, which they will be subject to do in searchof fresh nourishment: For to bear constantly well, and much, fruit-treesmust have frequent lsetations. Nor are we to judge that what is excel-lent ground for one sort of vegetable is so for another; since that whichis perfectly good for corn, is not so for all fruit-trees; and a slender strawwill be fed and brought up with a great deal lefs substance and virtue,than what will serve to furnish the stem, bulk, and head of a fertile andspreading tree.

The vine (than which no plant more sensibly retains the differentqualities of earth, or whose juice is of more variety) rejoices in a light, but

vigorous mould, rather sandy, and inclining to dry, than either fat, lux-uriant, or moist. Lime, tempered with blood, exceedingly recreates it,after the first heats are pafsed over.

Fig-trees (though a defied to dry grounds) are no lovers of stercoration;yet in some countries they apply olive oil and pigeon-dung ' to cause themto bear early fruit; but omitting the oil, if the dung be mingled withlime and ashes, it is not to be reproved: This fruit thrives and ripenseven in the shade, and in our northern exposures in the meridional partsof England ; but much better in the south, and best of all in cases, andunder shelter in winter: an industry worth the pains for the most deliciousfruit in nature, were it skilfully cultivated.

Artichokes thrive exceedingly with sheep-dung, which, applied tothe roots, make them produce very great heads: In the island of Jerseythey use sea-wrack, to a wonderful improvement of that plant.

* This composition is similar to the oil-compost recommended inEisays.

the Georgical

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