At a Meeting of the Council of the Royal Society, June 24. 1675.  
Ordered,  
THAT a Discourse, made before the Royal Society the 29th of April, and 13th of May 1675. by John Evelyn Esquire, concerning Agriculture, be printed by the Printer of the said Society.  BROUNCKER P.R.S.  

A Philosophical Discourse OF EARTH, Relating to the Culture and Improvement of it for Vegetation, and the Propagation of Plants, etc. as it was presented to the Royal Society, April 29. 1675.  
By I. Evelyn Esq Fellow of the said SOCIETY.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
LONDON, Printed for John Martin, Printer to the Royal Society. 1676.   

To the Right Honourable My Lord Viscount Brouncker, etc. Precedent of the Royal Society, etc.  
My Lord,  
I Have in obedience to your Lordship, and the irresistible Suffrages of that Society over which you preside, resigned these Papers to be disposed of, as you think fit: I hear your Lordship's sentence is, they should be made Public. Why should not a thousand Things of infinitely more value, daily enriching their Collection (and which would better justify the laudable progress of that Assembly) be oftener produced, as some of late have been? This, my Lord, would obviate all unkind Objections, and cover the Infirmities of the present Discourse, with things indeed worthy its Institution. But, as I am to obey your Lordship's Commands, so both your Lordship and the Society are redevable for publishing the Imperfections of  
My Lord,  
Your Lordships and Their most obedient Servant  
J. EVELYN.   

A Philosophical Discourse OF EARTH.  
I AM called upon, by Command from your Lordship, and the Council, who direct the progress of the Royal Society (and as in course it falls) to entertain this Illustrious Assembly with something, which being either deduced from, or leading to Philosophical Experiment, may be of real use, and suitable to the design of its Institution.  
I am highly sensible, as of the honour which is done me, so of the great disadvantages I lie under, for want of abilities to carry me through an undertaking of this importance, and before such acute and learned Judges; but I hope, my obedience to your Commands, and, at least, endeavours, will cover those defects for which I can make no other Apology.  
There are few here, I presume, who know not upon how innocent and humble a subject I have long since diverted my thoughts; and therefore, I hope, they will not be displeased, or think it unworthy of their patience, if from their more sublime and noble speculations (and which do often carry them to converse among the brighter Orbs, and Heavenly Bodies) they descend a while, and fix their eyes upon the Earth, which I make the present Argument of my Discourse. I had once indeed pitched upon a Subject of somewhat a more brisk and lively nature; for what is there in Nature so sluggish and dull as Earth? What more spiritual and active than Vegetation, and what the Earth produces? But this, as a Province becoming a more steady hand, and penetrating wit, than mine to cultivate (unless where it transitorily comes in my way to speak of Salts and Ferments) I leave to those of this learned Society, who have already given such admirable Essays of what they will be more able to accomplish upon that useful and curious Theme; and therefore I beg leave, that I may confine myself to my more proper Element, the Earth, which though the lowest, and most inferior of them all, is yet so subservient, and necessary to Vegetation, as without it there could hardly be any such thing in Nature.  
To begin, I shall in the first place then describe, what I mean by Earth; then I shall endeavour to show you the several sorts and kinds of Earth; and lastly, how we may best improve it to the Uses of the Husbandman, the Forester, and the Gardener, which is indeed of large and profitable extent, though it be but poor and mean in sound, compared to Mines of Gold and Silver, and other rich Oars, which likewise are the Treasures of the Earth, but less innocent and useful.  
I intent not here to amuse this noble Audience, or myself, with those nice inquiries, concerning what the real Form of that Body, or Substance is, which we call Earth, denudated and stripped of all Heterogeneity, and reduced to its principles, as whether it be composed of sandy, central, nitrous, or other Salts, Atoms, and Particles? Whether void of all qualities but dryness, and the like (as they commonly enter into the several definitions of Philosophers,) nor of what Figure and Contexture it consists, which causes it to adhere and combine together, so as to affirm any thing dogmatically thereupon; much less shall I contend, whether it be a Planet moving about the Sun, or be fixed in the Centre of the Universe; all which have been the curious researches and velitations of our later Theorists, but content myself with that Body or Mass of Gleab, which we both dwell on, and every day cultivate for our necessary subsistence, as it affords us Corn, Trees, Plants, and other Vegetables of all sorts, useful for humane life, or the innocent refreshments of it.  
Those who have written the Art Combinatoria, reckon of no fewer than One hundred seventy nine millions one thousand and sixty different sorts of Earth's; but of all this enormous number, as of all other good things, it seems they do not acquaint us with above eight or nine eminently useful to our purpose; and truly, I can hardly yet arrive at so many. Such as I find naturally and usually to rise from the Pit, I shall here spread before you in their order.  
The most beneficial sort of Mould or Earth, appearing on the surface (for we shall not at present penetrate lower than is necessary for the planting and propagation of Vegetables) as it consists of a mixed body, is the natural (as I beg leave to call it) under-turf-Earth, and the rest which commonly succeeds it, in stratas, or layers, till we arrive to the barren, and impenetrable Rock, be it fat or lean, Loam, Day, Plastic, Figuline, or Smectic; as Chalk, Marle, Fullers-Earth, Sandy, Gravelly, Stony, Rock, Shelly, Coal, or Mineral; such as with the Ancients were the Creta, Argilla, Smectica, Tophacea, Pulla, Alba, Rufa, Columbina, Macra, Cariosa, Rubrica (I name them promiscuously) to be found in the old Geoponic Authors, to whom I refer the Critical.  
Most, or all, of these lying (as I affirmed) in Beds, one upon another, from softer to harder, better to worse, usually determine in Sand, Gravel, Stone, Rock, or Shell, which last we frequently meet with in Marsh and Fenny Delves, and sometimes even at the foot of high Mountains, after divers successions of different Moulds.  
I begin with what commonly first presents itself under the removed Turf, and which, for having never been violated by the Spade, or received any foreign mixture, we will call the Virgin-Earth; not that of the Chemists, but as we find it lying about a foot deep, more or less, in our Fields, before you come to any manifest alteration of colour or perfection. This surface-Mould is the best, and sweetest, being enriched with all that the Air, Dews, Showers, and Celestial Influences can contribute to it: For 'tis with good Earth, as with excellent Water, that's the best, which with least difficulty receives all external qualities; for the fatness of this Under-turf Mould, being drawn up by the kindly warmth of the Sun to its superficies, spends but little of its vigour in the Grass and tender verdure which it produces, and easily nourishes without dissipating its virtue, provided no rank Weeds, or predatitious Plants (consummating their Seeds) be suffered to grow and exhaust it; but maintains its natural force, and is therefore of all other uncultivated Earth's, the most grateful to the Husbandman.  
Now as the rest of incumbent and subjacent Earth's approach this in virtue, so are they to be valued; and of these there are several kinds, distinguishable by their several constitutions: The best of which is black, fat, yet porous, light, and sufficiently tenacious, without any mixture of Sand or Gravel, rising in pretty gross Clods at the first breaking up of the Blow; but with little labour and exposure falling to pieces, but not crumbling altogether into Dust, which is the defect of a more vicious sort. Of this excellent black Mould (fit almost for any thing without much manure) there are three kinds, which differ in hue and goodness.  
The next layer in series to this, is usually mixed with a sprinkling of Stones, somewhat hard, yet friable, and when well aired and stirred, is not to be rejected; the looseness of it, admitting the refreshment of showers, renders it not improper for Trees and Plants which require more than ordinary Moistures. Declining from this in perfection, is the darkish-Gray, or Tawny, which, the deeper you mine, riseth veined with yellow, and sometimes reddish, till it end in pale; and if you penetrate yet farther, commonly in Sand, and a gritty stone.  
Of a second Class, is Mould of an obscure Colour also, more delicate grain, tender, chessum and mellow; clear of stones and grittiness, with an eye of Lome and Sand, which renders it light enough, yet moist, of all other the most desirable for Flowers and the Coronary Garden.  
To this we add, a yet more obscure, and sandy Mould, accompanied with a natural fattiness, and this, though rarer, is incomparable for almost any sort of Fruit-Trees.  
A third participates of both the former, fattish, yet interspersed with small Flints and Pebbles; not to be altogether neglected.  
A fourth is totally sandy, and that of divers colours, with sometimes a bottom of Gravel, now and then Rock, and not seldom Clay; and, as the foundations are, so is it more or less retentive of moisture, and tolerable for Culture: But all Sand does easily admit of Heat and Moisture, and yet for that not much the better; for either it dismisses and lets them pass too soon, and so contracts no ligature; or retains it too long; especially where the bottom is of Clay, by which it parches, or chills, producing nothing but Moss, and disposes to Cancerous infirmities: But if, as sometimes it fortunes, that the Sand have a surface of more genial mould, and a fund of Gravel or lose stone; though it do not long maintain the virtue it receives from Heaven; yet it produces as forward springing, and is parent of sweet Grass, which, though soon burnt up in dry weather, is as soon recovered, with the first rain that falls.  
Of pure and sheere-Sand, there's white, black, bluish, red, yellow, harsher, and milder, and some mere dust in appearance, none of them to be desired alone; but the grey-black, and ash-coloured, and that which frequently is found in heathy Commons, or the travelling kind, volatile, and exceeding light, is the most insipid, and worst of all. I do not here speak of the Sea-Sands, which is of admirable virtue, and use in mixtures, and to be spread on some lands, because it has of all other good things, it seems they do not acquaint us with above eight or nine eminently useful to our purpose; and truly, I can hardly yet arrive at so many. Such as I find naturally and usually to rise from the Pit, I shall here spread before you in their order.  
The most beneficial sort of Mould or Earth, appearing on the surface (for we shall not at present penetrate lower than is necessary for the planting and propagation of Vegetables) as it consists of a mixed body, is the natural (as I beg leave to call it) under-turf-Earth, and the rest which commonly succeeds it, in stratas, or layers, till we arrive to the barren, and impenetrable Rock, be it fat or lean, Loam, Day, Plastic, Figuline, or Smectic; as Chalk, Marle, Fullers-Earth, Sandy, Gravelly, Stony, Rock, Shelly, Coal, or Mineral; with the Sun and Wind, most of them pernicious, and untractable.  
The unctuous and fatter Clay frequently lies upon the other, having oftentimes a basis of Chalk beneath it; but neither is this worth any thing, till it be loosened, and rendered more kind, so as to admit of the air and heavenly influences.  
I had almost forgotten Marsh-earths', which though of all other, seemingly, the most churlish, a little after 'tis first dug, and dried (when it soon grows hard, and chaps,) may with labour, and convenient exposure, be brought to an excellent temper; for being the product of rich Slime, and the sediment of Land-Waters, and Inundations, which are usually fat, as also the rotting of Sedge, yea, and frequently of prostrated Trees, formerly growing in or near them, and in process of time rotten (at least the spray of them) and now converted into mould, becomes very profitable Land: But whether I may reckon this among the natural Earth's, I do not contend.  
Of Loams, and Brick-earths', we have several sorts, and some approaching to Clay; others nearer Marl, differing also in colour; and if it be not too rude, mingled, in just proportion, with other Mould, an excellent ingredient in all sorts of Earth, and so welcome to the Husbandman, and the Gardener especially, as nothing does well without a little dash of it.  
Of Marle (of a cold sad nature) seldom have we such quantities in Layers, as we have of the forementioned Earth's; but we commonly meet with it in places affected to it, and 'tis taken out of Pits, at several depths, and of divers colours, red, white, grey, blue, all of them unctuous, of a slippery nature, and in goodness, as being pure and immixed, it sooner relents after a shower, and when dried again, slackens and crumbles into dust, without induration, and growing hard again.  
Lastly, Chalk, which is likewise of several kinds and colours, hard, softer, fine, courser, slippery and marly, and apt to dissolve with the weather into no unprofitable Manure: Some of them have a Sandish, others a blacker and light surface; and there is a sort which produces sweet Grass, and Aromatic Plants, and some so rank, especially in the Valleys of very high Hills, as to feed not only Sheep, but other cattle, to great advantage, as we may see in divers places among the Downs of Suffex. But it has a peculiar virtue above all this, to improve other Lands, as we shall come to show.  
I forbear to speak particularly of Fullers-Earth, Tobacco-Clay, and th● several fictile Clays; because they are not so universal, and serviceable to the Blow and Spade; much less of Terra Lemnia, Chia, Melita, Hetruria, and the rest of the Sigillatae; nor of the Bolus', Rubrics, and Okers, Figuline, Stiptic, Smegmatic etc. as they are diversely qualified for several uses, Medical, and Mechanical; but content myself with those I have already enumerated.  
Now besides the Description and Characters we have given of these several Moulds and Earth's, as they reside in their several Beds and Couches, there are divers other Indications, by which we may discover their qualities and perfections; as amongst other, a most infallible one is, its disposition to melt, and crumble into fine morsels, not turn to Mud and Mortar, upon the descent of gentle showers, how hard soever it seem before, and if in stirring it rise rather in granules, than massy Clods.  
If excavating a Pit, the Mould, you exhaust, more than fill it again, Virgil tells us 'tis good Augury; upon which Laurembergius affirms, that at Wittenberg in Germany, where the Mould lies so close, as it does not replenish the foss, out of which it has been dug, the Corn which is sown in that Country, soon degenerates into Rye; and what is still more remarkable, that the Rye sown in Thuringia (where the Earth is less compacted) reverts, after three Crops, to be Wheat again.  
My Lord Bacon directs to the observation of the Rainbow, where its extremity seems to rest, as pointing to a more roscid and fertile Mould; but this, I conceive, may be very fallacious, it having two horns, or bases, which are ever opposite.  
But the situation and declivity of the place is commonly a `more certain mark; as what lies under a Southern, or Southeast rising-ground; But this is also eligible according to the purposes you would employ it for; some Plants affecting hotter, other colder exposures; some delight to dwell on the Hills, others in the Valleys, and closer Seats; and some again are indifferent to either; but generally speaking, most of them choose the warm, and more benign; and the bottoms are universally fertile, being the recipients of what the showers bring down to them from the Hills and more elevated parts.  
Another infallible indication is the nature, and floridness of the Plants which officiously it produces; as where Thistles spontaneously thrive; where the Oak grows tall and spreading; and as the Plant is of kind, so to prognostic for what Tillage, Layer, or other use the ground is proper; Time, Strawberries, Betony, etc. direct to Wood; Camomile, to a Mould disposed for Corn, and I add, to Hortulan furniture; Burnet, to Pasture; Mallows to Roots, and the like, as my Lord Verulam and others observe.  
On the contrary, some ground there is so cold, as naturally brings forth nothing but Gorse, and Broom, Holly, Yew, Juniper, Ivy, Box, etc. which may happily direct us to the planting of Pine, Firs, the Phillyreas, Spanish Broom, and other perennial verdures in such places.  
Mos●, Rushes, WildTansy, Sedge, Flags, Ferne, Yarrow, and where Plants appear withered or blasted, shrubby, and curled, (which are the effects of immoderate wet, heat, and cold interchangeably) are natural auguries of a cursed Soil. Thus as by the Plant we may conjecture of the Mould; so by the Mould may we guests at the Plant: The more herbaceous and tender, springing from the gentle Bed; the course and rougher Plants, from the rude and churlish: And as some Earth's appear to be totally barren, and some though not altogether so unfruitful, yet wanting salacity to conceive, vigour to produce, and sensibly eluding all our pains; so there is other, which is perpetually pregnant, and this is likewise a good prognostic.  
Upon these, and such like hints, in proposals of transplanting Spices, and other exotic rarities, from either Indies; the curious should be studious to procure of the natural Mould in which they grow (and this might be effected to good proportion, by the balasting of Ships) either to plant, or nourish them in from the Seed, till they were of age, and had gained some stability of roots and stem, and become acquainted with the Genius of our Climate; or for Essays of Mixtures, to compose the like.  
By the goodness, richness, hungriness and tincture of the Water straining through grounds, and by the weight and sluggishness of it, compared with the lighter, conjecture also may be made, as in part we have showed.  
To conclude, there are almost none of our Senses, but may of right pretend to give their verdict here, and first,  
By the Odour or Smell, containing (as my Lord Verulam affirms) the juice of Vegetables already as it were concocted and prepared; so as after long drowths, upon the first reins, good and natural Mould will emit a most agreeable scent; and in some places (as Alonso Barba, a considerable Spanish Author testifies) approaching the most ravishing perfumes; as on the contrary, if the ground be disposed to any Mineral, or other ill quality, sending forth Arsenical, and very noxious steams; as we find from our Marshes and Fenny-grounds.  
By the Taste, and that with good reason; all Earth's abounding more or less in their peculiar Salts, as well as Plants; some sweet and more grateful; others bitter, mordacious, or astringent; some flat and insipid; all of them to be detected by percolation of untainted Water through them; though there be who affirm, that the best Earth, like the best Water, and Oil, has neither Odour, nor Taste.  
By the Touch, if it be tenera, fatty, detersive, and slippery, or more asperous, gritty, porous and fryable; likewise, if it stick to the fingers like Birdlime, or melt and dissolve on the tongue like Butter: Furthermore, good and excellent Earth should be of the same constitution, and not of contrary, as soft and hard; churlish and mild; moist and dry; not too unctuous nor too lean, but resoluble, and of a just and procreative temper, combining into a light, and easily crumbling Mould; yet consistent, and apt to be wrought and kneaded, such as having a modicum of Loam naturally rising with it, to entertain the moisture, does neither defile the Fingers, nor cleave much to the Spade, which easily enters it, and such as is usually found under the turf of Pasture-Grounds, upon which cattle have been long fed and foddered. In a word, that is the best Earth to all Senses, which is blackish, cuts like Butter, sticks not obstinately, but is short, light, breaking into small Clods, is sweet, will be tempered without crusting or chapping in dry weather, or (as we say) becoming Mortar in wet.  
Lastly, by the Sight, from all the Instances of Colour, and other visible Indications: For the common opinion is (though long since exploded by Columella) that all hot, and choleric grounds, are red or brown; cold and dry, blackish; cold and moist, whitish; hot and moist, ruddy; which yet, exhalations from Minerals, the heat of the Sun, and other accidents may cause; but generally, they give preeminence to the darker Grays; next, to the Russet; the clear Tawny is found worse; the light and dark-ash-colour (light also of weight, and resembling Ashes) good for nothing; but the yellowish-red worst of all. And all these are fit to be known, as contributing to noble and useful Experiments, upon due and accurate Comparisons, and enquiry from the several Particles of their Constitutions, Figures, and Modes, as far at least, as we can discover them by the best auxiliaries of Microscopes, Lotions, Strainers, Calcinations, Triturations and grindings, upon such discovery to judge of their qualities, and by essaying variety of mixtures, and imitating all sorts of Mould, foreign or Indigen, to compound Earth's as near as may be resembling the natural, for any special or curious use, and be thereby enabled to alter the genius of Grounds as we see occasion.  
The consideration of this it was, which gave me the curiosity to fall upon the examining of a Collection I had made of several sorts both of Earth and Soils, such as I could find about this Territory; whereof some I washed, to find by what would melt, reside, or pass away in the percolation, of what visible Figure they chief seemed to consist, armed as I was with an indifferent Microscope, of which be pleased to take this brief account.  
Gravelly and Arenous Earth's of several sorts, before they were washed, appeared to be, most of it, rough Crystals, of which some very transparent and gemmy; few of them sharp or angular, but roundish; mixed with Atoms and Particles of a mineral hue, which being well dried, and bruised on a hard serpentine Stone, and Mullar of the same, was with little labour reduced to an impalpable whitish Sand, untransparent, as it happens in the bruisings of most, though never so diaphanous bodies, which may be so reduced.  
Yellow Sand had the appearance of Amber; bruised, an untransparent paler Sand.  
Fat rich Earth, full of black spots, without much discolouring the water (as hardly did any of the Sands at all) being dried, was reduced to a delicate sandy Dust, with very little brightness.  
Marsh Earth contained a considerable quantity of Sand, the rest resembled the Fat Earth.  
The Vnder-pasture mould had likewise a sandy mixture, and what passed with the water after evaporation, seemed to be an impalpable, and very fine untransparent Sand.  
Clay consisted of most exceeding smooth and round Sands of several opacous colours.  
Potters-Earth, of different sorts, ground small, became like Sand, of a yellowish grey, and other colours, exceeding polite and smooth.  
A certain yellowish loamy Earth, which had been brought to me, with some Orange-Trees out of Italy, was reduced to a bright soft Sand, appearing more gemmy than in the other Loams.  
Chalk resembled fine white Flower, and some of it sparkling, especially the harsher sort; but the ●ender, not.  
Fullers-Earth appeared like Gum tragacanth, a little wetted, seemingly swelled, yet glistering; but when reduced to a fine dust, a smooth Sand.  
Tabacco-Earth, not much bruised, was just like white Starch; washed, and well dried, it resembled the whitest Flower of Wheat a little candyed: I had not the opportunity of examining the several sorts of Marles; and so I proceed to the Dungs.  
Neats-Dung (the cattle fed only with Fodder, or little Grass, for 'twas in the Winter I made my observations) appeared to be nothing but straws in the entire substance, and colour little altered, save what a certain slippery mucilage gave them, sprinkled with a glistering Sand, like Atoms of Gold; but upon washing and drying again, the tenacious matter vanished, and the straws appeared separated and clear.  
Sheeps-Dung was much like the former, only the spires and blades of a fine short grass conglomerated and rolled up in the Pellets, and the glue about it less viscous, but it passed also away in the lotion.  
Swines-Dung had the resemblance of dirty Bees Wax, mingled with straws and husks, which seemed like candied Eringo, and some like Angelica Roots.  
The Soil of Horses appeared like great wisps of Hay, and little straws, thin of mucilage, and which being washed, was easily to be discerned by a naked Eye.  
Dears-Dung much resembled that of Sheep's.  
Pigeons-Dung consisted of a stiff glutinous matter, easily reducible to dust of a grey colour, with some husky Atoms, after dilution. Lastly,  
The Dung of Poultry, was so full of Gravel, small stones, and sand, that there appeared little or no other substance, save a very small portion both of white and blackish viscous matter twisted up together; of all the other, the most foetid and ill smelling.  
These were all I had time and leisure to examine, I cannot say with all the accurateness they were capable of, but sufficiently to encourage the more curious, and to satisfy myself, that the very finest Earth, and best of Moulds, however to appearance mixed with divers imperfect Bodies, may, for aught we know, consist more of sandy particles, than of any other whatsoever; at least, if from this Criterion we may be allowed to pronounce, what they seem to the Eye, Sands, Crystals, or Salts (call them what you please;) the consideration of which being so universally the cause of Vegetation, was no small inducement to me, to see, if by examining the several Earth's, (though but by a cursory inspection) I might possibly detect, what Rudiments of such a Principle there were lurking in them, abstractedly taken; not that I opine Earth to be Salt alone, and nothing else (though perhaps little more besides Sulphur,) for so it produces no Vegetable that I know of, without Water to dissolve and qualify it for insumption, and perhaps some other matter fitted to receive the Seeds, and keep the Plant steady; which yet for aught I can discern, is also but a finer sort of Sand, the clamminess of it being rather something extrinsical and accidental to it, than any thing natural, and originally constitutive: For, the combination of these several Moulds, which gives the ligature, slipperiness, and a divers temper, seems rather to be caused by the perpetual and successive rotting of the Grass, Plants, Leaves, Branches, Moss, and other excrescences growing upon it (than any peculiar or solitary principle apart) which in long tract of time, has amassed together a substance heterogeneous to the ruder Particles, which after the dilutions of the superficies (that is of the rich and fatter Mould) appears to be little other than Sand, or fixed Salts, of various Figures and Colours; since even the most obdurate and flinty Pibble, beaten and ground to powder, or by Calcination reduced to an impalpable dust, is as fine both to the Eye, and smooth to the touch, as the most Smectic Earth's and Marles themselves; such, at least, as you shall collect from the subsidence (to appearance) of the most Crystal Waters, precipitated by deliquated Oil of Tartar, or the like; and the more they be subdued and broken, the harder they will prove, if (cleared of their nitrous parts) they pass the Potter's Fire, however they seemed before to be of different constitution: This is evident in Vessels made of Tabacco-Clay, or whatever the material be, which has of late been so successfully employed, for the finding out of a composition (if so I may call it) nothing inferior to the hardest Porcelain, and almost as beautiful (by a worthy Member of this 
Mr. Hook.  Society).  
But to return to our superficial Earth, which we call the Mould, I affirm it to grow and increase yearly in depth from the Causes aforesaid; and in some places, to that proportion, as to have raised no inconsiderable Hills and Eminences, by the accidental fall and rotting of Woods and Trees; such as Birch, and Beech, etc. which are not of a constitution to remain long in the ground (as Fir, Oak, Elm, and some other Timber will do, and grow the harder) without corruption, and relenting into Mould as soft and tender as what they first were sown or planted in; and of this I am able to give undeniable Instances. I insist not here on the perpetual successions, and generations of Flints, and other Stones, in the same places, where they have been sedulously gathered off, by many (not improbably) thought to proceed from Worm-casts, hardened by the air, and a certain lapidescent succus, or spirit, which it meets with: And this, for happening most on Downs, very much exposed (yet undisturbed) is the more probable; as, on the other side, it establishes our conjecture of the purest Moulds being capable of such a change; that which is thus cast up by the Worms, being so exceedingly elaborated and refined: Therefore let no man be over-confident, that because some Earth's are soft, fat, and slippery, they may not possibly consist of Sands (of which there are so many kinds,) since 'tis evident, that even all fossil Bodies, which can be reduced and brought to sands, may by contrition of the Particles be rendered so minute, as to emulate the finest Earth's we have enumerated; the compactedness, and accidental mixtures resulting (as we affirm) from things extrinsical, not excluding exhalations, passage of liquors and several juices to them, or conveyed by subterraneous steams and influences; be the Stones or Rock Glareous, Metallic, Testaceous, Salts, or any other Concretes whatsoever. And what, if we should indeed suspect all Earth to be arrant Salt, nay Glass, and that Glass, how hard soever, the offspring and child of water, the most fluid, crystalline, sincere and void of all other qualities? 'tis not impossible, I think, but by the different texture of its parts, even that liquid Element may be brought to the consistence of a most different body to what it appears: We know, that Water (besides that it was the first immense body which invested 
Gen. 1.  the Chaos) was by some thought to be the Mother of Earth, (nay the principia soluta of all mixts whatsoever,) and that the bottom of the Sea was made by a perpetual Hypostasis or subsidence, which precipitated from every part of it to the Centre. I do not stand to justify these speculations, but to illustrate what I am about; namely, that Water is apt enough to be condensed and made hard; and crude Mercury, and running metal, Crystals, Gems, and Pearls, do more resemble it, than that dirty and opace body, which we usually denominate Earth: Besides we find, how divers Waters, not only indurate and petrify other substances, but grow into Stones, and leave a rocky Callus where they drop and continually pass, and that all sands and stones are not diaphanous; therefore that is no eviction, but that they might once have been fluid, since their opacity may be adventitious and proceed from sundry accidents; so as granting this Hypothesis, we are less to wonder, that this matter is above all other so disposed to Vegetation, and apt to produce Plants endued with Colour, Weight, Taste, Odour, and with sundry medical and other virtues, as I think that excellent Philosopher Mr. boil (an ornament of this Society) does somewhere make out from the various Percolations, Concoctions, and Circulations of that fruitful Menstrue: And if that be true, that there is but one Catholic, homogeneous, fluid matter, (diversified only by shape, size, motion, repose, and various texture of the minute Particles it consists of; and from which affections of matter, the divers qualities result of particular bodies;) what may not mixture, and an attended inspection into the anatomical parts of the vegetable family in time produce, for our composing of all sorts of Moulds and Soils almost imaginable, which is the drift of my present Discourse? And why might not Solomon by this means have really had all kinds of Plants in his incomparable Gardens? even Ebony, Cloves, Cinnamon, and from the Cedar to the Shrub, such as grew only in the remotest regions, furnished (as he doubtless was) with so extraordinary an insight into all natural things, and powers, for the composing of Earth's, and assigning them their proper mixtures and ferments. I do not here inquire, whether there be not a Pansperme universally diffused, individuated, and specified in their several Matrices, and receptacles pro ratione mixti (as they speak) but I think there might very unexpected Phaenomenas' be brought to light, in vegetable productions, did men seriously apply themselves to make such possible trials, as is in the power of Art to effect; and how far Soils may be dissembled, and the Air and Water attempered, (at least for some curiosities, which may give light to more useful things) I do not conclude; but I should expect very rare and considerable things from an attentive and diligent Endeavour. To this end, the raising of artificial Dews and Mists impregnated with several qualities, for the more natural refreshment of Exotic Plants, were, it may be, no hard matter to effect, no more than were the modification of the Air abroad, as well as in our more confined Reserves, where we set them in for Hyemation, and during the most rigorous Colds. As for mixtures of Earth's; Plants we know are nourished by things of like affinity with the constitution of the Soil which produces them; and therefore 'tis of singular importance, to be well read in the Alphabet of Earth's and Composts: For, as we have said, Plants affect the Marsh, Bog, Mountain, Valley, Sand, Gravel, sat and lean Mould, according to their tempers; and for want of skill in this, the same Plant not only languishes and starves, but some we find to grow so luxuriate, as to change their very shapes, colours, leaves, roots, and other parts, and to grow almost out of knowledge of the skilfullest Botanists; not here to speak of what alterations do accrue from transplanting and irrigations alone. I mention this, to incite the curious to essay artificial Compositions in defect of the natural Soil; to make new confections of Earth's and Moulds for the entertaining of the most generous and profitable Plants, as well as curious; especially if, as I hinted, we could skill to modify also the Air about them, and make the remedy as well regional as topical; and why not for other Fruits (Strangers yet amongst us) as for Oranges, Lemons, Pomegranates, Figs, and other precious Trees, which of late are become almost indenizoned amongst us, and grow every generation more reconcileable to the Climate?  
Here we might enlarge upon the several inquiries formerly suggested: As, how far Principles might be multiplied, and differenced by alteration and condensation? Whether Earth, stripped of all heterogeneity, and uniform particles, retain only weight, and an insipid siccity? And whether it produce or afford any thing more than embracement to the first rudiments of Plants, protection to the roots, and stability to the stem; unprolific, as they say, till married to something of a more masculine virtue which irradiates her; but otherways, nourishing only from what it attracts, without any active or material contribution: These indeed, with many other queries, do appositely come in here; but it would perhaps render this Discourse more prolix, than useful, to enter upon them in detaille; nor is it for me to undertake speculations of so abstruse a nature, without unpardonable ostentation; and therefore having only offered something towards the discovery of the great varieties, and choice of Earth's, (such as we gardiner's and Rustics for the most part meet with in our Grounds,) my next endeavour shall be to show, how we may improve the best, and prescribe remedy to the worst, by labour and stirring only, which being the least artificial, approaches the nearest to Nature.  
At the first breaking up of your Ground therefore, let there be a pretty deep Trench or Furrow made throughout, of competent depth (as the manner is of experienced gardiner's,) the Turf being first pared off, and laid by itself, with the first Mould lying under it, and that of the next in succession, that so they may both participate of the Air, Showers, and Influences, to which they are exposed; and this is to be done in severals, as deep as you think fit, that is, so far, as you find the Earth well natured; or you may fling it up in several small mounds or lumps, suffering the Frosts and Snows of a Winter or two (according as the nature of it seems to require) pass upon them, beginning your work about the commencement of Autumn, before the Mould becomes too ponderous and sluggish; though some there are, who choose an earlier season, and to open their Ground when the Sun approaches, not when he retires: But certainly, to have the whole Winter before us, does best temper and prepare it for those impregnating agents.  
In separating the surface-mould from the deeper, whether you make a Trench, or dig holes to plant your Trees in, be it for Standards, Espalieres, or Shrubs; the longer you expose it, and leave the receptacles open (were it for two whole Winters) it soon would recompense your expectation; and especially, if when you come to Plant, you dispose of the best and fattest Earth at the bottom; which if it be of sweet and ventilated Mud of Ponds, or High-way-Dust, were preferable to all the artificial Composts you can devise: In defect of this, (where it cannot be had in quantity) cast in the upper Turfs (if not already consumed) the Sod downwards, with the next adhering Mould for half a foot in thickness; on this a layer of well-matured Dung; then as much of the Earth which was last fling out, mixing them very well together: Repeat this process for kinds, mixture, and thickness, till your trenches and holes be filled four or five Inches above the level or area of the Ground, to which it will quickly subside upon the first refresh, and a very gentle treading to establish the Tree. Fruit planted in such Mould you will find to prosper infinitely better, than where young Trees are clapped in at adventure in newbroken-up Earth, which is always cold and sluggish, and ill complexioned; nor will they require (as else they do) to be supplied every foot with fresh Soil, before they be able to put forth lusty and spreading roots; but which it is impossible to convey to them, so as to affect the under-parts, by excavating the ground, and undermining the Trees (after once they arrive to any stature) without much trouble and inconvenience, and the manifest retarding of their progress.  
If you will plant in pits and holes, and not give your ground an universal Trenching (which I prefer,) make them the larger (five foot at the least square) but not above half a yard or two foot deep, according to the nature of the Tree. In dressing the Roots, be as sparing as possible of the Fibers, small and tender strings (which are as the Emulgent Veins which insume and convey the nourishment to the whole Tree;) and such of the stronger and more confirmed parts which you trim, cut sloping, so as the wound may best apply to the Earth. The Head or Top I advise you to let alone, till after the most penetrating colds be passed, and then, about February, to take them off, and shape them as you please, and as the skilful Gardeners can direct you. An Orchard thus planted, Spring and Autumnal stir of the Mould about them is of incredible advantage; and even during the hottest Summer-Months carefully to abate the Weeds (but not to dig above a quarter of a Spit-deep, for fear of exposing them to the Sun, unless it be after plentiful showers) is very necessary.  
There are, I confess, who fancy that this long exposure of Earth before it be employed for a Crop, causes it to exhale, and spend the virtue which it should retain; but, provided nothing be suffered to grow on it whilst it lies thus rough and fallow, there's no danger of that; there being in truth no compost or laetation whatsoever comparable to this continual motion, repastination, and turning of the Mould with the Spade; the pared-off Turf (which is the very fat and efflorescence of the Earth) and even Weeds with their vegetable Salts, so collected into heaps, and exposed, being reduced and falling into natural, sweet, and excellent Mould. I say, this is a marvellous advantage, and does in greater measure fertilise the ground alone, without any other additament: For the Earth, which was formerly dull and unactive, or perhaps producing but one kind of Plant, will by this culture dispose itself to bring forth variety, as it lies in depths, be it never so profound, cold and crude, the nature of the Plant always following the genius of the Soil; but indeed requiring time, according to the depth from whence you fetch it, to purge and prepare itself, and render it fit for conception, evaporating the malignant halitus and impurities of the imprisoned air, laxing the parts, and giving easy deliverance to its offspring.  
I do not dispute, whether all Plants have their primigenial Seeds, and that nothing emerges spontaneously, and at adventure; but, that these would rise freely, in all places, if impediments were removed (of which something has already been spoken;) & to show, how pregnant most Earth's would become, were these indispositions cured, and that those seminal rudiments, wherever latent, were free to move and exert their virtue, by taking off these Chains and Weights which fetter and depress them.  
It is verily almost a miracle to see, how the same Land, without any other Manure or Culture, will bring forth, and even luxuriate; and that the bare raking and combing only of a bed of Earth, now one way, than another, as to the regions of Heaven and polar Aspects, may diversify the annual production, which is a secret worthy to be considered: I am only to caution our labourer as to the present work, that he do not stir the ground in over-wet and slabby weather; that the Sulcus or Trench be made to run from North to South, and that, if there be occasion for opening of a fresh piece of Earth, for present use, he dig not above one Spit-deep, which will be sufficient to cover the roots of any plantable Fruit, or other Tree; otherwise, not to disturb it again till the March following; when, if he please, and that the ground seem to require an hastier maturation, there may be a Crop of Beans, Pease, or Turnips sown upon it, which will mellow it exceedingly, and destroy the noxious Weeds; after which, with a slight repastination, one may plant or sow any thing in it freely; especially Roots, which will thrive bravely; and so will Trees, provided you plant them not too deep, but endeavour to make them spread, and take in the succulent virtue of the upper Mould; and therefore too deep trenching is not always profitable, unless it be for Esculent Roots, such as Carrots, Parsneps, Beets, and the like; since Trees, especially Fruit, would be tempted even by baits, to run shallow; such as penetrate deep, commonly spending more in Wood and Leaves, than in the burden for which we plant them.  
There is only this caution due, that you never plant your Roots where the stiff and churlish ground is likely to be within reach of them; for though it be neither necessary nor convenient, they should penetrate deep, it is yet of high importance, they should dilate and spread, which they will never do in obstinate and inhospitable land (but revert back towards the milder and better natured Mould,) which crumples the roots, and perverts their posture to their exceeding damage. And to this infirmity our rare Exotic Plants and Shrubs are most obnoxious, confined as they are to their Wooden Cases, and Testaceous Prisons, and therefore require to be frequently trimmed and supplied with fresh and succulent Mould to entertain the Fibers, which else you will find to mat in unexplicable entanglements, and adhere to the sides of the Vessel, where they dry or corrupt.  
Having said thus much of the Natural, I should now come to Artificial helps, by application of Dungs, and Composts; and indeed, stude ut magnum sterquilinium habeas, was old and good advice; but for that there be, who affirm any Culture of the Earth preferable to Dung, even things so slight as the haume of Peas and Lupins, or any other Pulse (for when I speak of Dungs, I mean those excrementitious and sordid materials which we commonly heap up and lay upon our Grounds,) I beg your patience to suspend a while my stirring that less pleasant mixture, and, till it be well aired and fit for use, proceed a little farther on our former subject, and try what aid we may yet expect from more kind and benign means, before we come to the gross and violent. For, besides that such compost (at least so prepared as it ought to be) is not every where, nor always to be had in quantities; to confide in Dungs and Ordure is not so safe and of that importance to our Husbandman, 
Hesiod.  as some are made believe, since if we shall look back into the best experience of elder days, we shall find, they had very little or no use at all of stercoration. I know some there be, who attribute this neglect to the natural fertility of the Country, that 'tis the busy nurse of Vermin, and nauseous accidents; but waving these, (without intending to desert the aid of Soil in place and time,) I proceed with what I call more natural helps; namely, as we have showed, by opening, stirring, and ventilating the Earth, and sometimes its contrary, by coverture, shade, rest, and forbearance for a season, as we daily see it practised in our worn-out and exhausted layfields, which enjoy their Sabbaths. 'Tis certain, that for our Gardens of Pleasure, the fairest beauties of the Parterre, require rather a fine, quick, friable, and well-wrought Mould, than a rank or richly dunged.  
I shall here then begin with an experiment I have been taught by a learned Person of this illustrious Body, from whom I have long 
D. Beale.  since received the choicest documents upon this and many curious subjects. And first, That amongst the mechanical aids, (wherein stercoration has no hand) that of pulverizing the Earth by contusion, and breaking it with Blow or Spade, is of admirable effect to dispose it for the reception of all the natural impregnations we have been discoursing upon, as constant and undeniable, I think will be evinced. For the Earth, especially if fresh, has a certain magnetism in it, by which it attracts the Salt, power, or virtue (call it either,) which gives it life, and is the Logic of all the labour and stir we keep about it, to sustain us; all dunging and other sordid tempering, being but the vicar's succedaneous to this improvement, which of all other makes its return of Fruit, or whatsoever else it bears, without imparting any of those ill and pernicious qualities, which we sensibly discover from forced grounds; and that not only in the Plants which they produce, but in the very Animals which they feed and nourish.  
I know, Laurembergius (somewhere) denys this, and that Animals in preparing Chyle, transmute, altar, and insume what is only their proper aliment; rejecting all that is superfluous; but as our Early Asparagus, Cauly-flowers, and divers roots, manifestly refute it, so does the taste of the flesh, and milk of cattle, and especially Fowl, that feed on the wild Garlic, Fenny-grass, and other rank and putrid things; not here to insist on their sweet and delicate relish upon their change of Food, and more odoriferous pasture: But to the experiment.  
Take of the most barren Earth you can find, drained, if you please, of all its Nitrous Salts, and masculine parts; reduce it to a fine powder (which may be done even in large proportion, by a rude Engine, letting fall a kind of hammer or beetle at the motion of a wheel;) let this pulverised Earth, and for the time uncessantly agitated, be exposed for a Summer and a Winter to the vicissitudes and changes of the seasons, and influences of Heaven: By this labour, and rest from Vegetation, you will find it will have obtained such a generous and masculine pregnancy, within that period, as to make good your highest expectations: And to this belongs Sr. Hugh plats Contrition, or Philosophical Grinding of Earth; which upon this exposure alone, without manure of Soil, after the like revolution of time, will, as he affirms, be able to receive an exotie Plant from the farthest Indies, and cause all Vegetables to prosper in the most exalted degree; and, to speak magnificently with that Industrious Man, to bear their fruit as kindly with us, as they do in their natural Climates: But a little to abate of this, modestly we may say, that this Culture (easy and simple as it is) will be found effectually able to render the Soil of a most extensive Capacity, for the entertainment of foreign and uncommon plants. For to enumerate some of its perfections; such as refuse Dung, and violent applications, have here pure Earth; and such as require aid, a mellow and rich mould, impregnated with all the blessings which the Influences of the Heaven, and efflorescence of the Earth can contribute to it; fitted, as it is, for Generation, and yet so restrained from it, as greedily to receive the first Seeds, which are committed to it, with a passion, and fervency as it were of animal love. What high and sublime things are spoken more upon this, I forbear to prosecute; but in Sir Kenelm Digbies discourse of Sympathetic Powder he affirms, that the Earth in the years of repose recovers its Vigour, by the attraction of the Vital Spirits, which it receives from the air, and those superior irradiations, which endow simple Earth with qualities promoting fermentation. And indeed, such a vegetative activity I have often observed in the bare exposure of some Plants but for a few hours only, as has raised my admiration, particularly in the Aloe, and other kinds of Sedums, which, when to all appearance shrunk and shrivelled up, have filled themselves in a moment, set out in the Air, when a very few drops of water (at the same, that is, Winter, time) would certainly have made it rot, and turn to a mucilage, as, to my cost, I have experienced. And these Ferments of the Earth, by this amity and genial intercourse with the Air, are innumerable, to concoct, digest, accelerate, and restore; equal to, yea, beyond any artificial enforcements of Dungs, and compost whatsoever. But to return to dust again; by the toil we have mentioned, 'tis found, that Soil may be so strangely altered from its former nature, as to render the harsh and most uncivil Clay obsequious to the Husbandman, and to bring forth Roots, and Plants, which otherwise require the lightest and hollowest moulds.  
In other cases and affections, the Earth may be likewise fertilized as from without, so from within, by more recondite and central Causes, and agitations, whichif if in excess, may be allayed with some feminine or other mixture; since often times, qualities too intense, rather poison dry and choleric grounds, than conduce to their advantage, as we shall come to show; and that which makes a cold and moist ground fertile, will destroy the contrary, as we see it in too free applications of salt; and therefore it requires no ordinary dexterity, to be able to direct where, and what remedies are to be administered; since we find it the same in Vegetable productions, as in the Animal, where Complexions should be suited; for want of which care, through avarice, and other sordid Circumstances, Noble Families themselves are manytimes rendered Childless, which might else have multiplied and been perpetuated. To illustrate this by our present subject: We find, that a thin seifing, or sprinkling of Ashes, has enriched all the higher Pastures, when, where 'twas strewed too thick, it became totally barren: sometimes again, defect of sufficient depth may be cause of sterility; and so it frequently happens, that the proper remedy of some hungry and shallow surface, is, to superinduce and lay more Earth upon it, and to find out the medium by diligent trials of some degrees of depths in the same Soil; but solitary, single, or overhasty Experiments, before the Earth be prepared by some of our foremention'd Essays, may prove discouraging, and unsufficient, as my Lord Bacon has oft advertised us.  
Earth is also sometimes improved by mixtures of Fearn, rotten leaves, and the pourriture of old Wood; the haulm of beans, pease, and other legumina, which heats, and accelerates Concoction; for which, and all other Medications, the nature of the Mould is carefully 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 Marle, (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 with Lime) that it may not sink too deep, and suddenly as 'tis apt to do, and so desert the surface-mould, where it should do the feat, and therefore it is to be the oftener renewed. But Marle enters as properly here, and so does Mudd, Slub of slimy Waters; especially, if the soil be gravelly and mixed, which it will sadden and impinguate, and consequently combine; 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 dwarves our Plants, without extraordinary help, to render the passages more slippery, and easy; and therefore relenting Chalks, or Chalk-Marle, is also profitable, with Calcinations of Turf, or Sea-Wrack, where it is at hand; and if the Soil be exceeding bibulous, spread a Layer or Couch of Loame, 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-Lilly, called by those of Garnsey (from whence we only have them) La belle de nuit; and a certain Palm of the same Japan, which shrinks and dries at the least touch of Water, as if it were laid before 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 vulgarly reputed, be not so hot, or interiorly ardent, as 'tis given out to be? Indeed, for being of an open and lose contexture, 'tis 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 and change its very nature also, so as too hot a Compost be no ingredient with it.  
Here I take notice, that Husbandmen observe, a too clean and accurate gathering of Stones from off those Grounds, which lie almost covered with them, rather impoverishes than improves it, especially where Corn is sown; by exposing it to Heat and Cold. Certain it is, that where they are not too gross, and plentiful, a moderate interspersion of the smaller Gravel preserves the Earth both warm, and lose, and from too sudden exhalation; whilst the over-fine grain, or too nice a sisting, makes it apt to constipate, and grow stiff upon wetting; so as the tender Seedlings can hardly issue through; and this is a document for ignorant gardiner's, who, when they have a fine Flower, think they can never make the ground fine enough about them.  
Chalky Grounds come next to be considered, and they should be treated like Gravel, Sand, and Stony, if harsh; but if of the melting kind, 'tis apt to mix with all the sorts of moulds, and being of itself so husbanded, composes a kind of natural Soil fit for most uses, sought for and of admirable effect in dry Grounds.  
Here now of Course something we are to speak concerning Calcinations, all reducing of Stone into ashes being of excellent use, where Lime is upon any occasion proper; and indeed all our Composts and Dunging serve but to this end, namely, so to qualify, and mix the Soil, as may artificially answer to the varieties of the natural Earth, or such a Constitution of it, as the skilful Husbandman requires: As for Instance (since all fertility is the result of mixture contrary in quality) if it want due heat, to apply additions of a fiery nature; and therefore 'twere profitable, if in the using Lime with Turse, and Smarth, it were laid alternatively, Turse on Lime, and Lime on Turse, in heaps for six months, by which means, it will become so mellow (and rich in nitrous Salts) as to dissolve, and run like Ashes, and carry a much more cherishing Vigour, than if amassed in greater quantity; and so, by a too violent application, burn out, and exhaust the vegetative virtue which it should preserve. There is (by the way) this caution to be used in burning of Earth, that though what is torrified into blackness, will exceedingly fructify; yet, if it proceed to adustion beyond that degree, it consumes the Niter, which is the principle would be preserved; as we shall come to show, when we speak of Salts, which we are the most carefully to keep entire, in all our animal or other Composts: If once the nitrous spirit be quite mortified, the Earth produces nothing, till being long exposed, it have attracted a fresh supply to give it life and prepare it for conception: For otherwise, all moderate burn, yea, and even sometimes (to appearance) immoderate (as that of Rosetrees, Reeds, and some other, which makes them bear and come the better,) is excellent manure, as we see it in Straw and Stubble, enriched as they are with Salts; and if the very Earth be roasted with the fire, it solves obstructions, laxes the Pores, renders them attractive of the Influences, and to cherish with its warmth; and the more simple and unmixed the Ashes be, in relation to what the Ground produces, it is the better: For as Weeds bring Weeds, so the Ashes of Fruits and Berries (being burnt) dispose to bring forth the same; so as no treatment of the seminal rudiments whatsoever, seems totally of power to annihilate their virtue; so strict is the Union of the parts, from whence their Form does result. The Calcination then of Earth alone, not only disposes it to produce great variety, but, if it be intense, increse the very weight of the Mould; whether from a certain magnetisme which it thereby contracts (which fortifies it to draw the proper aliment more powerfully) or upon what other account, let the curious examine.  
I come next to Marle, of excellent use to fix light Sand and dry Grounds; some are for the White and Grey, others the Blue and Red (which I think the best,) according as 'tis more or less apt to resolve after wetting; but neither of them discovering their virtue for the first year: It does incomparably on Pastures; some on Arable, a good Coat of Compost, suitable to the land, being first spread, where you will lay it: If your Marl be very unctuous and rich, apply it less copiously; the too thick covering is the worst extreme; nor is it always to be used without allay and mixture with other proper Soil; for some Marl is more Sandy and gritty than other, and should be qualified with a Contrary: Give lean and emaciated Earth, a covering of the fattest Marl; hot and dry to the cold and moist: And this is also to be observed in the applications of all other Composts and Medications.  
Marsh, and Churlish Earth will be Civilised, by the rigour and discipline of two Winters; bis frigora, is the old method to make the stubborn Clod relent; and with the mixture of a little Sand, if it be too close of Body, it will become excellent Mould.  
Clay is of all other a cursed Stepdame to almost all Vegetation, as having few or no Meatus for the percolation of the alimental showers, or expansion of the Roots; whether it be the Voracious, Hungry, Weeping or Cold sort: In these cases, Laxatives are to be prescribed, such as Sand, Sawdust with Marle, or Chalk, and continual vexing it with the Spade or Blow; but above all, with Sea-Sand, where it may be procured, and the burning of the Ground to ashes, and all that it bears, the more the better; for by no less severity will this ill-natured Mould be subdued: Rotten wood, and the bottom of bavine-stacks, is good ingredient to this manure; and if it be a cold and wet sort, strew of soot is good; if very stiff, rubbish of brick, limestone, and such trash may properly be laid at the bottom, and on the upper part composts of dung; for otherwise no liming (which being sleckt is raw and cold) may at any hand be applied, especially the hungry sort, which (as also most kind's of Marsh-earth) is subject to chasm, and gape in dry seasons; to prevent which, a discreet mixture of ashes and sand is used, for if it be in excess, it over-heats the latter.  
I do not reckon Loames among the Clays, though it seem to be but a succulent kind of Argilla, imparting a natural ligament to the Earth where you mix it, especially the more friable; and is therefore of all other the most excellent mean between extremes, fastening and uniting that which is too lose, cooling that which is hot, and gently entertaining the moisture. The Flower-Garden cannot be without a mixture of it, nor well any fruit, especially the best Cider Apples, so it be accompanied with a lighter soil.  
To sum up all we have said concerning Natural Improvements by mixtures of Earth with Earth, rather than Dungs; let us hear my Lord Bacon. He reckons up Marle, Chalk, Sea-sand, mould upon mould, pond-earth with Chalk, and the several blending and tempering of them; among all which, Marle we find to carry the preeminence with his Lordship, as the most pinguid, rich, and least over-heating; next to this, Sand, as the most abounding in salt; chalk more heating, and therefore proper for Clay; cold and spewing grounds, being suffered to lie a competent time to resolve before you turn it in; earth on earth that is (I suppose he means) the under part upon the upper, or the second spit on the first, as we have all along directed at the breaking of fresh ground with the spade.  
Another mixture he commends (and which we have likewise newly touched) of substances, which are not mere Earth, as Soot, Ashes, not the hard and dry Cinders of Sea-coal (which we are too busy with about this Town, where the ground is naturally too hot and dry) but such as is apt to relent, and even the sprinkling of Salt, where it is wisely sown.  
A third is, the permitting Vegetables, abounding in fixed salts, to die into the ground, as Peasehalm, Bracks, all sorts of Stubble cast on about the beginning of Winter: So leaves of Trees mingled with Chalk, and proper compost of dungs, to heat and preserve the ground from souring with them, when they are used alone.  
A fourth is (what we have also touched) heat and comfort, procured by Calcinations, the burning of Ling, Heath, Sedge; covering the ground with bushes for a time; enclosures of walls and mounds, when the land lies in the eye of the weather, and in other cases, meridian exposures, and the warmth of the woolly fleeces of sheep as well as manure, folded or pastured: And to this we may add the very grazing of Cattle, which in some cases has succeeded better than the best dungy compost, especially for old and decayed Orchards, which have been observed to recover to admiration, when mowing has been pernicious; for even the biting of cattle gives a gentle loosening to the roots of the herbage, and makes it to grow fine and sweet, and their very breath and treading, as well as soil, and the comfort of their warm bodies is wholesome, and marvellously cherishing: But this is to be understood of places where the stems are of full growth, and where the beast cannot reach to crop.  
Lastly, Irrigation, and watering, both by admitting and excluding moisture at pleasure: And certainly, this has (since his Lordship's time) been found one of the richest improvements that ever was put in practice; especially, where they have the command of fat and impregnate waters, without grittiness, or being over-harsh and cold; whether it percolate through rich ground, or, which is better, descending from eminences, and moderate declivities, from whence we find the Valleys so luxurious and flourishing.  
To this belongs the cure of wet and boggy Lands, by cutting Trenches deeper than the cause of the evil, which proceeds from some concealed springs, hindered from emerging forth by the sluggish incumbent earth: This makes the ground to heave and swell, but not giving vent, to stagnate and corrupt both the water and the mould about it: And though it lie lose and hollow; yet it gathers no vigour from above, but remains cold and insipid. The remedy is, opening the ground till you meet with a sound bottom, and cutting your Furrow upwards to the Bog, about a foot beneath the spewing water: This is to be done in several places, and when the drains appear to have wrought the effect, you may fill them up again with sprag and bavine, great and rough flint, brickbats, tileshards, horse bones, or any other rubbish, which will remain lose and hollow, and cover them with the grassy side of the turf which you pared off, and laid apart; on that throw your other Mould, which being cast up in heaps for some time, will be much improved with spreading; lastly, sow it over with hay-seeds.  
But the Cure is yet easier, if the Land lie considerably sloping; and if it happen to be a planted Ground, then cut your Trench deeper than the roots of your Trees, and apply the foresaid rubbish to intercept the moisture. About the latter end of October, trench the Ground all over, for near a foot and a half in depth, and when you are come within three or four foot of the stem, cut off all their larger roots sloping inwards, sparing only the fibers, and such of them as you find tender, and about as big as your finger; leaving also the more perpendicular to keep the Tree steady: This done, castin some rubbish of brickbats, limestone (not chalk) and other materials, that the Mould may lie easy about them, and with a mixture of good Earth, plenty of rotten stubble, or other soil, apply it near the Root, and fill your Trench with the rest; and if your Ground require it, (as being too cold it commonly does) add to your compost the Dung of Sheep, Pigeons or Poultry very well consumed: And because Moss is oftener caused by starving and wet Grounds, than by hot and over dry (for both produce it) the Cure is likewise to be effected by Ablaqueation and bearing the Roots, as above; and for the latter, by a mixture of Loame, with the scouring of Pond or ditch-Earth, which of itself is the most excellent manure; and the planting your Trees at greater intervals, for admission of Air and Sun; since the scraping of it off (which may also be done in wet weather) is but temporary, and if nothing else be performed, it will be sure to grow again.  
Lands which are cold and dry, are (as we have hinted) to be improved by contraries; namely by application of composts, which are hot and moist; as Sheeps-dung, burning and calcining of the Earth, with the Vegetables on it, and the like, to excite heat and fermentation; but which is not to be effected without repugnant remedies, and such as are of heterogeneous parts, to stir and lift up the Mould, and render it less unactive. If it be cold and clinging, as frequently 'tis found, there lime, rubbish, sea-coal-ashes, a moderate sprinkling of sand, with some proper compost may perform the Cure.  
Hungry Grounds require to have the cause well looked into; the water turned, (as above directed) or if it want, such as is well enriched.  
Lands that are hot and burning, alloy with Swines-dung, as (say some) the coldest; or with Neat's, which will certainly refresh it.  
For Earth which is too light, there's nothing better than Pondmudd, after a winter has passed upon it.  
Earth over-rank (for there may be some too fat, as well as too lean,) sand and ashes will take down; but still with regard to what you design to plant upon it; neither the Almond, nor the Hazel will endure a wanton Mould; and though it seem a Paradox, that any Soil should be too rich, (upon which some Critics have suspected the Text in Theophrastus, 
Lib. 2● Cap. 5, 6.  which asserts it twice in two successive Chapters;) 'tis yet a Truth indubitable, and holds as well in Plants as Animals, which growing very fat, are seldom prolific. Some on the contrary are so emaciate, and lean, dry, and insipid, as hardly any pains will make them fruitful. Such are Minerals, and metallic Soils, devouring clays, light and ashysands; so again are putrid and fungous; others, though fruitful, producing only venomous Plants, Hemlock, and the deadly Aconitum; and some, though wholesome ground, may be poisoned with unskilful or malicious mixtures, and with damps and Arsenical vapours, which sometimes (though natural) are but accidental, and for a season, as when after extraordinary drouths, and stagnant air, the Earth hath not been seasonably opened, refreshed and ventilated.  
Moreover, Ground is sometimes barren, and becomes unfruitful by the vicinity of other Plants, sucking and distracting the juice of the Earth from one to another: For thus we see the Reed and Fern will not be made to dwell together; Hemlock and Rue are said to be inimicous; the Almond and the Palm, which are seldom fruitful but in Conjugation; and perhaps there are Effluvia, or certain inconspicuous steams of dusty seeds, which not only impregnate places where never grew any before, but issue likewise from one to another, as in our Junipers and Cypress I observe, flowering about April; which are Trees of Consort, and thrive not well alone. The Ficus never keeps her fruit so well, as when planted with the Caprific. By what irradiations the Myrtil thrives so with the Fig; the Vine affects the Elm and Olive (which is at Antipathy with the Oak, and imparts also such a bitterness to the Mould, as kills Lettuce, and other subnascent Plants) is hard to say; and why some affect to live in crowds, others in solitude: But that Sirs, Pines, Cedars, Elmes, and divers other Trees aspire, and grow so tall in society, may be (as from other causes) so from their not over-glutting themselves with nourishment (for Compost is not their delight) which inclines them rather to shoot upwards, than expand and spread.  
Lastly, by shade Ground is rendered barren, and by the dripping of umbragious trees: To these Air and Sun may be soon restored, by removing of the skreens which intercept them; and yet all shade is not unpropitious, where the Soil and Climate are benign, as well as that which casts the umbrage; and of this we have a notable instance somewhere amongst the Astomori even in Africa, where the soil and the air are reported to be so genial, that the Olive is said to grow under the Date-tree, the Fig under the Olive, under the Figtree the Granade, under that the Vine, under the Vine a crop of Corn, and at the feet of the Corn a certain pulse; none of them impeded by the more than reduplicated shades. But there are some, we must confess, amongst us, which are not so propitious; Trees of all sorts (though the perennial Green's least) breath as much after the air as the soil, and do not thrive without it; nor except it be wholesome.  
But to return to barren Earth's, which are either out of heart, by being spent, or from the nature of the soil (in both which, the Plants which they produce, though never so unprosperous, run hastily to seed, or make an offer,) they are to be restored by the Blow, the Spade and the Rake, by stirring and repose, appositions and mixtures of Earth, Calcinations and Composts; and above all, by the eye of the Master, and dust of his feet, as the Italian Proverb has it. For after this Process, and innumerable other Trials (mixtures of things being endless) all other sorts of Earth's and imperfect Moulds may be treated and meliorated; namely, if it be too hard and close, to mollify and relax it; if too lose, to give it ligature and binding; if too light, ballast; if too meager, to fasten and impinguate it; if too rich and luxurious, emaciate and bring it down; if too moist, apply exsiccatives; if too cold, fermenting Composts; if excessive hot, to cool and refresh it; for thus (as we said) Earth's should be married together like Male and Female, as if they had Sexes; for being of so many several complexions, they should be well considered and matched accordingly; and for this you see what choice I have presented you of Sand, Ashes, Chalk, Lime, Marle, mixture of Mould, Calcinations, Air, Sun, Dew, Rain, Frosts and Snows, Trenching, Drilling, Watering, Infusions, and finally, of Animal Stercorations, and other composts, which is the next, and last part of this (I fear) over-tedious Discourse: Since indeed it is not sufficient to find out even the best and most grateful Mould in nature, so as to rely for ever upon the same performance, without supplies of all sorts; stirring and repose, constant dressing, and (after all we have said) artificial laetations; likewise to encourage and maintain it in vigour.  
We proceed then in the next place to what farther advancement we may expect from Stercoration, and manuring the ground by Composts, and to discover the qualities, which may be latent in their several ferments, and how to apply them by a skilful and philosophical hand, without which they do always more hurt than good; and therefore first we will enumerate their several kinds, and next inquire, what it is we chief seek for, and expect from them; and lastly, how to treat them so as may render them fitting for our service.  
From Animals we have the Soil of Horses, and beasts of burden, Neat's, Sheep, Goats, Hogs, Pigeons, Poultry, and Fenny-fowle: We have also Flesh, Fat, Blood, Hair, Feathers, Urine, shave of Horn, Hoofs, Leather, Skins, Fish, Garbage, Snail-mud, etc. From Vegetables, (as of nearest affinity) we have Vine-cuttings, Stalks, fallen Leaves, Marc of the Wine and Cider-presses, Lees of Wine, Oil, rotten Fruit, Gourds, Weeds, Fern, Haulme, Stubble, rotten Wood, Sawdust; refuse of the Tan-pit, Sea-woad, Linen Clowts and Old Rags; also Brine, Pickle, Ashes, Soot; and of things promiscuous, Washing of Dishes, Bucks, Barrels, Soap-suds, Slime, and Scouring of Ponds, and Highways, Dust, Sweep: In sum, whatsoever is apt to rot and consume in any competent time, and is either salt, unctuous or fatty: To which let me add, impregnating Rains and Dews, cold and dry Winters, with store of Snow, which I reckon equal to the richest Manures, impregnated as they are with Celestial Nitre. But with all these Auxiliaries, we are not yet to imagine, that any of them are therefore profitable and good, because they retain an heady scent; are hot, moist, rotten and slippery, fat or unctuous, and the like, which are all qualities, that alone, and of themselves, effect little, till they are corrected and prepared; but, for that amongst these materials we detect the causes of fertility more eminently than in other substances; partly from their fixed salts, or some virtue contained in them, or rather drawn from without, and imparted to the exhausted and defective Earth; and that by such a process, as by converting them into a Chyle (as it were) it facilitates their being insumed, assimilated, and made apt to pass into nourishment, promoting vegetation. This obtained, the next thing is, how skilfully to apply what we have prepared; and this indeed is a difficulty worthy the heads as well as hands of the profoundest Philosopher; since it requires a more than superficial knowledge and penetration into causes.  
We know indeed, that the Earth is without any Artificial Auxiliaries, endued with a wonderful prolific virtue; but this, for being possible to be lost and decay, (at least for a longer time than our necessities can support) and from some grounds never to be expected without such helps, it may be worth our while a little to consider, by what expedients of digestion, or other ways, the desired effect of perpetuating its vigour might best be accomplished.  
That the secret we inquire after, and which does most apparently seem to evirtuate towards this end, is some Salt, I suppose is generally agreed: For Salt it is which gives ligature, weight, and constitution to things, and is the most manifest substance in all Artificial Composts.  
'Tis the Salts, which entice Roots to affect the upper and saline surface of the Earth, upon which the Nitrous Rains and Dews descend, and the cause that some Plants, the most racy, and charged with juice of all other, (for such is the Vine) thrive so well amongst Rocks and Pumices, and in whatever best maintains this vital pickle.  
'Tis Salt, which makes all covered and long shaded Earth's to abound in fertility, and renders the dung of Pigeons, Poultry, and other Salacious Corn-fed Birds, so eminently effectual, before the soil of Horses and other Beasts, in which it less abounds, as having less virtue to attract it.  
'Tis Salt, that gives such vigour to places, sprinkled with urine, Soot, Ashes, etc. which have them not diluted; and to Bones, Flesh, Horn, Hair, Feathers, Blood, and the rest of those animal excrements: And whence those seminal Masses should proceed after Calcination of the Earth, when it comes to be exposed again, is hard to divine; whence I say, they should derive their life and energy, without being destroyed by so powerful an agent as Fire, unless they lurk in some vegetant and indissoluble salts, (volatile, fixed, or nitrous Earth) from whence they Phoenixlike emerge; though I do not say without any other specific rudiment: But 'tis strange, what, as I remember Dr. Morison affirms of the Erysimum or Irio, so seldom seen to grow spontaneously in England before the late prodigious Conflagration of this City, when there appeared more of it amongst the Ruins, than was known to grow in all Europe besides, it being a curious Exotic, to be found most about Naples in the time of Fabius Colonna, and but rarely elsewhere.  
'Tis Salt which resuscitates the dead and mortified Earth, when languishing and spent by our indulgence to her verdant Offspring, her vigour seems to be quite exhausted, as appears by the reins and showers which gently melt into her bosom what we apply to it, and for which cause all our Composts are so studiously made of substances which most engender or attract it.  
'Tis Salt, which fertilizes, and renders Egypt so luxuriously fruitful after the inundations of Nile; and the Nitrous grounds of Jamaica, and other places, which cause so stupendious a growth of Plants and Trees.  
'Tis the want of Salt, which emasculates the virtue of Seeds too long macerated in hungry water, and renders floated wood such unprofitable fuel, and to turn into such insipid ashes; and whatsoever it be some Plants may appear to affect, as to the external differences of appetite, some of them seeming to draw in more Air, some Earth, and others Water in extraordinary measure, according to the several contextures of their parts, or by whatever Magnetisms and attractives, it is still to come at their Salts, which doubtless create that inclination, compose the various saps and juices which they present us. Nay, what if I should say, that all the several parts of Vegetables were endowed with their peculiar and distinct Salts, through different motions, complications and percolations? or, that so many Earth's, so many kinds of Salts digested and transported by their different Vehicles and strainers; and those also, though unlike in quality, yet perfectly congruous to what they produce and nourish? But what this Vehicle or Menstrue is, I contend not; 'tis evident, that Salts unite best with water, Vernal and Autumnal Showers and Dews, as the most apt to convey their insinuations. You know, who have dignified Salt with the prerogative of being named Element-earth, the vigour and close of all things, yea, the first and last of Elementated bodies: What shall I say, quid Divinum, the Original of all fecundity; nor can I say less, since there was nor sacrifice, nor discourse acceptable without it. And verily upon serious contemplation of the premises, and the little experience I have had of their effects, in this work of vegetation, as far as I am able to penetrate into causes by them, I am not displeased at the magnificent Epithets which are given it. In the mean time, I know there be, who are so averse to this Doctrine, as to prefer Water before it, nor contend I with them, so they allow the near affinity and friendship which is between them, as I have deduced it at the entry of this Discourse, where I describe my Autoptical observations of the several Earth's; all that I pretend from hence, being only to excite us to make diligent enquiry, what may more likely be the cause of Vegetation, and whether Salt have not a Dominion almost Monarchical in this great Work of Nature, being so absolute an ingredient in all our Dungs and Composts, which I am next going to speak of. I cannot in the mean time but wonder, how a thing so eminently sacred, and fertile, should come to be the Symbol of Malediction, when, as the custom was, they used to sow Salt on Cities they had cursed, there being in all Nature nothing so pregnant and fruitful, unless it were to invite the Blow to go there, and that the fertility of the spot for Corn and Grain might divert them from rebuilding and covering it again with houses. Indeed to apply Salt in excess, burns the Earth for a time, so as nothing will grow upon it; but when once the rains have well diluted it, it springs up more wantonly than ever: This I daily find by sifting common Salt upon the gravel-walks of my Garden, and for which cause I have left it off; and we find that the Earth itself over-marled and too highly manured is as unprofitable, as if it were barren for the time, and that there is in all things a just proportion to be observed.  
But neither all this while do I pretend, much less determine, that the Principle I so much celebrate, is our common artificial Salt, composed of Urine, and the like, which of itself is so burning and destructive, till its acidity be qualified by the air and showers from heaven (which endows it with a natural magnetism, to receive their irradiant virtues;) but a certain more unctuous spirit, or airy Nitre, pregnant with a vital Balm, which is the thing we endeavour to find in these materials of Composts: But whether it be accidental, or essential, corporeal, or more spiritual, principal, or organical; or (to speak with the Chemists, and later Atomists,) whether communicated by effluvias, salts embryonate, or indigested and not specificate; from ferments, spermatic vapours, influences Celestial, or from liquor only impregnated and concocted, I leave to those who affect to wrap up easy notions in hard and uncertain terms, whilst the thing would be of use to the Philosophical Husbandman, were their reduction into just Classes, for the better discriminating of the several Composts; as what there's of them most abounds in Nitrous or urinous parts; or what of the nature of our crude, common Salts, and Kalis, Mineral, or other; and thereby be able to pronounce, where, and how we may apply them with safety and success: For some we know are plainly exitial and deadly to plants (such as the Mineral,) others properate too fast; and some are sluggish, and scarce advance them at all. It would therefore be considered, whether any Salts do universally nourish all Plants alike? or rather partly, some one Plant, some another; for upon the clear decision of this secret depends all that is truly curious in this affair; laying, as I do, for position, that the improvement of all the Earth's and Soils I have spoken of, results from some Salt or Spirit (call it which you please) as from an indispensable Principle in this of Vegetation, and perhaps the first rudiment of life in all things else: And till we shall arrive to this (by what I have observed in the discreet use even of our common Salt, brine, the effects of Urine and the like,) I firmly believe, that, were Salt-Peter (I mean fictitious Nitre) to be obtained in Plenty, we should need but little other Composts to meliorate our Ground; since, whether that which so fertilizes it, by any mixture we can yet devise, effect it from any other cause, is greatly to be doubted; nor do I think, but the charge of extracting it, (at lest sufficient to impregnate Water in convenient quantity) might be compassed by the industrious Farmer without much inconvenience, or the least difficulty, were he competently instructed in the process of Calcination, Resolution, Percolation, Evaporation and Separation, put into honest English, and easily to be learned: Soon we should then see, that this were not to be extracted altogether out of stinking dung, and found in heady trash (which yet is material) but rather in the well-impregnated and natural Mould itself, charged with a more generous spirit, or medicinal Nitre (in congress with a certain sulphur) capable to warm, and excite to vegetation, beyond all we can promise from any mere artificial ferments, much less our common mixtures, and ways of stercoration, which in time grow cold and languish, and are so quickly checked.  
And now after all this, I dare not say, that there is nothing more than this mere Salt, or spirituous Nitre, which concurs to those desired effects, that promote fertility, and set the ferment on working: What ignite particles beside, and special Composts there may be of consanguinity and near alliance to the respective vegetables (which we know to be of vast difference one from another,) we pretend not to determine; for some Plants are very brisk and quick, others insulse and flat; some are acid, others more dulcorous and sweet; they are salt, sour, luscious, austere, hot, bitter, moist, dry, astringent, and of strangely different qualities, not to speak of their effects, which it were hard to number. Therefore, that the same Compost, or remedy should be promiscuously universal, is the more unlikely, and would be well considered: But admitting this to be salvable, and that we find by experience, a well digested Compost beneficial to almost all the vegetable Family; may it not in all probability spring from its participation of all those varieties of ferments, (in some at least, though in different proportion) which we have been speaking of? as by which each single species draws and assimilates that only to itself, which it finds most amicous and congruous to its nature; and if so it be, then have we no more to do, than to learn how to prepare our Ferments, and apply them accordingly; namely, acid to acids, sweet to sweets, benign to benign, and so the contrary, as we would promote its natural quality; and this perhaps, either by reducing some parts of them into Composts, as their leaves, stalks, fruit; or by some more refined extraction of their Salts, conveyed in proper vehicles. And for the better administering of this, the nicer textures of vegetables should diligently be considered; their several vessels, and Organic parts, since every impregnate liquor is not presently fit for all alike; the figuration of their Labiola, and curious pores (which 'tis likely draw several juices and spirits) being very different; as the most sagacious Doctor Grew, and learned Malpigius (both Ornaments of this Illustrious Society) have begun, (I think I may say) well nigh perfected the way to us, in those elaborate Anatomizations, which the world will shortly admire. I insist the rather on this, because we find some Plants to reject divers rich compounded liquors, especially such as pretend to work Miracles in the Protean changes of colours, and other qualities, from mineral or other substances; and that the very Rains and Dews differ in several Climes: So as even from this reason alone, to instance in no more, all Plants do not easily become denizens in all places:  
— Nec omnis fert omnia tellus.  
I might add to this the niceness of their palates, and fondness to their own homes, and to live some in consort, some in solitude, some on dry banks, some in watery puddles, and some as it were in the very air, and fiery soils; nay, some which are found to destroy the vegetable virtue where they grow; for such are said to be Odd, Hemp, etc. and if it be true and constant, that all our imbibitions of Salts and Composts signify little to Earth pre-impregnated with a salt or virtue, different from what the Plant does naturally delight in, some obscure footsteps of which every Ploughman seems to discover, which makes him change the Crop in some places yearly: For the first, second, or third burden of the same grain, especially Wheat, will exhaust that which is its proper aliment, and then leave the rest to more ignoble grain, which will be found to thrive well enough, till at last several successions of different Seeds quite wear it out, and then it must repose, or be manured with Composts for fresh life and vigour. And to this we may add, how some Plants again require little change, or help of Art; such as most of the Perennial Greene's, and amongst these, the most resinous and oily, as the Pine, Fir, Cedar, etc. which thrive on barren Hills, and grow in Rocky Crannies, without any Earth almost to cover and protect their Roots. Of this sort I have a Cedar-Table, which was sawed out of a Spur only of a monstrous Tree growing in the Barbadoss, which held six foot long, five foot broad, and three inches thick, formed and wrought as it stands upon the frame; and his Royal Highness; had another of a much larger dimension, namely eighteen foot in length, and nine in breadth, cut out of the Stem, which was of prodigious growth, to be fed and nourished as it was between the barren Rocks. But to proceed; we find that most esculent and culinary Roots do rather choose a rich, natural and light Mould, inclining to sand, than what is forced, or over-mucked; and how much they yield to soil, growing hard, short and fibrous, and contract the smell and relish of the ferments, applied to accelerate their growth (for according to the Italian Proverb, Ogni pianta serba della sua radice, Every Plant has a smack of the Root) I have already mentioned; so as to confide in Dungs, as our vulgar Gardeners about this City do, is no encouragement; and therefore some, not without good reason, prefer the Corn and Grain which is reaped from Marle, Chalk, Lime, and other more natural Manure, before what is produced from a Crop which grows on a Dunghill in comparison; experience also showing, that the cause of smuttiness many times proceeds from the impurity, and rankness of the dressing; and therefore we omit to enumerate amongst our Soils, Stercus humanum, which howsoever preferred by some before all other, and mentioned by Columella with that of Fowl and cattle, does, unless exceedingly ventilated and aired, perniciously contaminate the odor of Flowers, and is so evident in the Vine, as nothing can reconcile it.  
To give some instances of the nature of particular and simple Composts, (for so I take leave to use a Solecism, till they are blended together with the rest, as we shall afterwards show) what ever they be, they are by no means fit for the Earth, and use of the Husbandman, unless, besides their richness, they be perfectly well digested, made short, sweet, and almost reduced to a crumbling Mould; so ordered, as not only not to lose any of their virtue, but improve it, and to excite, entertain, and communicate heat, and vegetative Spirits to what you shall apply them: And that this is not done per se, that is, by immediate application, without prejudice (unless it be for the Hot-Bed, which yet has an Intermedium of Mould) experience tells us, especially in the soil of Animals, which is of all other the most active, as consisting of Heterogeneous parts, and repugnancies, without which no fermentation could be obtained. Now since many of these being freshly made, are not only sensibly hot, but mordacious and burning, they are with caution to be used. That every kind of Earth (as well as the Dung of Beasts, etc.) has its peculiar ferment, and operates accordingly, either by attracting something to it, or embasing what approaches it, sufficient has been said; together with directions how to mingle and attemper it, as best may qualify it for Culture. That we may do the like with the several sorts of Soil, let us consider what their natures are, what their correctives, and how to apply them.  
Horse-dung, the least pinguid and fat of any, taken as it falls, being the most fiery, excites to sudden fermentation above any; wherefore, as we said, 'tis then fit only for the Hot-Bed, and when that fervour's past, may be spread on fields, where we would have a rank Grass to spring; but is at no hand to be admitted into the Garden, or where you desire good Roots should grow, unless the ground be very cold or wet, and then too it had need be well rotten, lest, instead of curing it, it leave couch, and pernicious weeds, worse than the Disease; the seeds of Hay, and other Plants, of which the Horses eat, coming oftentimes entire from them: And such vegetables do commonly spring up from the Soil of cattle, of which they chief eat; as long knot-grass from this Beast; short, clean and sweet pasture from Sheep and Cows; the Sonchus, or Sow-thistle from the Swine: So as ground mucked with Horse-dung is always the most infected of any, and if it be not perfectly consumed, it makes your Roots grow forked, fills them with worms, and imparts to them an unpleasing relish; but being laid on at the beginning of winter, and turn'd-in at spring, it succeeds sometimes with Pulse.  
The Soil of Asses is highly esteemed, for its being better digested by the long mastication and chewing of that dull Animal; but since we have no quantity of it in this Country, it does the less concern us.  
Neat's Dung, of all other is universally the most harmless, and the most useful; excellent to mingle with sandy and hot grounds, lean or dry, and being applied before winter, renders it the most like natural Earth, and is therefore for the Garden and Orchard preferred to any other. To use it therefore with the most certain success in such thirsty Grounds, apply a plentiful surface of it, so blended, as the rain and showers may wash in the virtue of it throughly; but this is best done by making the Dung the finer, and then working it in at a soaking wet (not stormy) season, and then leaving it also covered with it for some time, if the rain descend in too great excess.  
The next is Sheep's Dung, which is of a middle temper between that and Pigeons; profitable in cold Grounds, and to impregnate liquors, of choice use in the Garden.  
The Dung of Swine is esteemed the coldest and least acrimonious (though some there be who contradict it) and therefore to be applied to burning Lands; but always so early interred, as never to appear above ground, where it is apt to produce weeds in abundance, from the greedy devouring of what it eats. This, though not so proper for the Garden, is said yet to edulcorate and sweeten fruit so sensibly, as to convert the bitterest Almond into sweet, and therefore recommended, above all others, for experiments of change and alteration: Some qualify it with bran, or chaff well consumed, greatly comfortable to Fruit-Trees, but especially the hairs and bristles, buried about the Roots of Pear-Trees.  
Pigeons Dung, and that of Poultry (especially of Aquatic Fowls which is too fiery) full of volatile salts, is hot and burning, and therefore most applicable to the coldest ground. There is nothing so effectual to revive the weak and languishing Roots of Fruit-trees, laid early to them; but first be sure they pass their mordicant and piercing spirits, and be discreetly mixed.  
Very efficacious is this Dung, to keep frost out of the Earth, and therefore of great use to cover the Mould in Cases of Exotic and tender Plants; but if the heat be not well qualified, the very steam will kill them in a moment; therefore let a full winter pass over this laetation for most uses. The best way of preparing it, is to reduce it into powder, and mingle it with the Mould, and to water with its infusion, which alone does wonders; or, if it have been well exposed and abated, you may use it at the spring without addition: But if you desire something that is exquisite, macerate it well rotten in the Lees of Wine, stolen Urine, and a little Brimstone beaten very fine, to mingle with your Earth, for one of the richest Composts. Then is this only to be noted, that, as the effect of this Dung is sudden, so it lasts not long, and therefore must be the oftener renewed.  
The flesh of Carrion, and dead Animals, being (as, I think, my Lord Bacon tell us) prepared already by so many curious Elaborations of its juices, is highly effectual; but it should be very well consumed, and ventilated, till it have quite lost its intolerable smell, and therefore never applied too crude.  
Blood is excellent almost with any Soil where Fruit is planted, especially the Mural, to improve the blood of the Grape of great advantage, being somewhat diluted, and poured about the Roots.  
Urine, for being highly spiritous and sharp, had need be well corrected, and then, being mingled with other Composts to allay its acrimonious salt, it hardly has its equal.  
Hair, Horn-shaving, Bones, Skins, Leather, etc. are deeply to be buried, and so as not to touch but lie about the Roots: These, with Rags, course Wool and Pitch-Marks, improve the Earth, as being full of volatile salts: And Fish is likewise spread to great advantage of Grounds, where 'tis to be had in plenty; and for being quickly consumed, may soon be applied. We come to Vegetables.  
The Marc and press of the Grape are good Compost, and so is the Lees of Wine, mingled with the Mould: It is of singular comfort to the Roots of Orange-trees, and Case-Plants; and if you sift a little brickdust with it, and bury it near the Roots of Rosemary, it will thrive wonderfully. It may be a laudable Compost for moist grounds, where that Plant so unwillingly grows.  
The Leaves of Trees are profitable for their own Fruit, and natural, being well rotten, and not musty: The Peach-leaf, hurtful to cattle, is excellent for the Tree from which it falls; and the Walnut-leaf, noxious to the grass, is helpful to the Tree.  
Sawdust, 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 Willowtree, 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 should be well ventilated, and is of great effect to loosen and mellow ground.  
Wood-ashes, rich and impregnate with salts, are fit for wet Ground without mixture, and in pasture, excellent, not sifted-on over thick: It likewise kills the Worm; but in Earth which is subject to overheat and chap much, Ashes and burning Composts do but increase the favour, and therefore contrary remedies are to be sought; such as Neat's and Swine's Dung, but not so when Lands are naturally or accidentally cold: Wherefore we should endeavour by all means to detect, as far as we are able, the quality predominant both of the Earth we would improve, and the Composts we apply, and not throw them on promiscuously upon every thing without considering of what temper and constitution they be; for Grounds are as nice as our Bodies, and as obnoxious to infirmities upon every defect and excess; and therefore it requires skill, and no little study to be able rightly to marshal this Materia Medica (as I may call it) of Composts, the virtue of which does sometimes lie very hidden; at least, if that be true which Sir Hugh Plate affirms, that what we all this while seek after, is indeed altogether invisible to humane eyes, and to be discerned only by the eyes intellectual, because 'tis veiled and clad under so many different bodies, whereof some are more ponderous, such as Marle, Chalk, the Dung of Beasts, etc. some more light, as their Flesh, Bones, Hair, etc. and some yet lighter, as Grain, and generous Seeds; for in such as have Virtue to multiply their own Species, that Spirit is invested with a very thin and curious integument, as in effect is apparent in the Blood and Flesh of Animals, so much more powerful for the enriching of Land than their Dung and Excrements; this industrious man computing it to no less than twenty times, and to the same advance above this, Hair, Wool, and calcined Bones, etc. and as to the courser Soils, that the Dung of Pigeons and Poultry does as far exceed that of Beafts which feed on gross Vegetables; and tells us, it has been found upon experience, that one load of any sort of Seed contains as much Virtue as ten load of ordinary Dung; and therefore 'tis advisable, that upon all removals of Corn-ricks, Haystacks, etc. the Husbandman reserve all he can of the bottom, offal and shake, and to mingle it with Chimney-soot and Blood, and with that to reduce it into the consistence of a paste: To this add as much dried Neat's Dung, tempered with Urine, and made up in cakes as big as household loaves, and after all is well dried in the shade, crumble them to dust, to be sifted or sprinkled on the ground for a very considerable improvement.  
Of like effect is Earth blended with Malt-dust, or putrified and decayed Corn reduced to Meal; so is the dust of old Furbushes, (in Devonshire called Dress;) but this last should not be taken in Seedtime, lest it infect the Ground with a Plant not easily extirpable.  
Lastly, The Mud of Ponds and stagnant waters of ditches, shovled up, and well aired, is best applied to Roots of Trees, but especially the dust of unstony highways, where the drift of cattle, and much passage is: Let it be carried off from March to November; for it being already a kind of refined Soil continually stirred and ventilated, there is no Compost preferable to it for any use: It is prepared in the highest degree, and will need no wintering, but may be used immediately; and so may straw, haulm, and other littiere trampled on in dirty streets, after it is a while rotten and mingled.  
Thus with no little industry are found out the several kinds of Composts, and materials of improvement, and what is the most genuine and true medicament of every Soil for Arable, Pasture or Garden. I do not say all, or as if 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 several 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 Constitution, 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 Neat's and Hog's; most Flowers with that of Sheep, but especially Roots. Peter Hondius tells us (in his Book entitled Dapes inempt as) that by the sole application of Sheeps-Dung, he produced a Reddish-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 for an 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 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 an harder bottom.  
Cherries, Summer and Stone-Fruit, such as have their Roots like thrumbs, desire a fine light Mould, Sand or Gravel, with Chalk, and good Compost, unless it be very course and stony, in which case it would be well soiled, and the pit you plant in, filled with rich Mould, as far as the Roots likely use to extend before they reach the Gravel, so as to make good spread; and this to be renewed every third or fourth year; and for this reason it is profitable sometimes to bait sterile Grounds, by laying your Composts at reasonable intervals, thereby to tempt and allure the Roots towards it, and keep them from wand'ring, which they will be subject to do in search of fresh nourishment: For to bear constantly well, and much, Fruit-trees must have frequent laetations. Nor are we to judge, that what is excellent Ground for one sort, is so for another, since that which is perfectly good for Corn, is not so for all Fruit- Trees, and slender straw will be fed and brought up with a great deal less substance and virtue, than what will serve to furnish the stem, bulk and head of a fertile and spreading Tree.  
Vines (than which there is no Plant more sensibly retains the different qualities of Earth, or whose juice is of more variety) rejoices in light, but vigorous, Mould, rather Sandish, and inclining to dry, than either fat, luxurious or moist. Lime tempered with Blood, exceedingly recreates it, after the first accidental heats are passed over.  
The Figtree, (though affected to dry Grounds) is no lover of stercoration, yet in some Countries they apply oil-olive and Doves-dung, to cause them to bear early fruit; but omitting the Oil, if the Dung be mingled with Lime and Ashes, it is not to be reproved.  
Artichokes thrive exceedingly with Sheeps-dung, which applied to the Roots make them produce very great heads.  
Melons, Asparagus, and most hasty growers, participate evidently of the Soil; and therefore we have already showed, how new and heady dung contaminates; and this is (amongst other) the reason why in the more Southern Countries (where they are planted in the natural and unforced Mould) they are so racy and superior in taste and flavour to ours. I should therefore recommend the use of Sheeps-dung, well reduced, or rather the ashes of burnt straw, and the hotter dungs calcined for some trials to reform it; or, as they do in Italy, mingle Dust and Earth manured with Sheeps-soil and wood-ashes; if after all we have said, the cause of our application of Composts and Dungs to these ra●● and choice productions, be ● prevent the rains only; for otherwise too rich Soils impair the most delicious Fruits, rather than improve them; and Grapes and other Fruits are sooner ripened which stand near the Highways, much beaten by passengers, than by all that you can lay to the Roots, or spread on the Ground for that purpose, the Dust investing both the Tree and Fruit with a kind of refined soil, mellowed with the dews and gentle showers which fall from Heaven.  
To give some instances; Roots, as we have showed, desire deep Ground; Fruit-trees not so, which should never go deeper than the usual penetrations of the Sun; for no farther is the Mould benign: Besides that they but too propensely sink of themselves, especially Bulbs of Flowers, whose fibers freeing their bottoms, draw them down, and then they change their artificial and accidental beauty, and (as we call it) degenerate; but Trees will grow and thrive, if planted on the very surface, with little covering of Mould, so it be oft refreshed and established against the wind. Besides, we find, that even the goodliest Fruit (as well as some Timber-Trees) have many times the hardest footings, with reasonable depth of Earth: So little does it import to have it profound; and therefore in soft and deeper Sands, they thrive nothing so well, as on Chalk and Gravel, so long as the root can be kept from descending; in which case you should (as we showed) bait the Ground towards the surface, and keep the roots from gadding too far from the stem; for the lower roots are frequently starved by the upper, which devour the nourishment before it arrive at them.  
To give some other profitable instances of this nature; In Transplanting Trees (beginning early, and when the Earth is most tractable) endeavour to make your Mould as connatural to that of the place or nursery from whence you remove them, as you can. 'Tis not therefore material, it should be so much richer; but where Imp-Gardens are poor, the tender Plant (like a Child starved at Nurse) does seldom thrive where ever you set them; and therefore they should have fair and spreading roots, and be well fed, what ever some pretend. For other rarer shrubs and Plants, the Orange (Herrera tells us) thrives well with the ashes of burnt Gourds and leaves, and needs not change of Mould, even in the Case, above twice a year, and that towards the surface; but Amomum Plinii is a strange waster of Earth, and should continually be enriched and planted as it were all in dung; so the Myrtil and Pomegranate, whilst the Red-rose, Capers, Sampire, and other Shrubs and Plants thrive better in Gravel and rubbish; Sage with ashes, and so Porselan with dust and sweep: Rue affects the dry Mould, Lettuce the moister; Flowers for the most part detest the Dunghill, but if any, that of Sheep or Neat mixed with Loam and light Earth: Tulips delight in change, and rather in poor than rich Mould; yea, sharp and hungry to preserve their variegations: But because 'tis sometimes troublesome to transplant them yearly; place a layer of short stable littier a foot beneath your Mould, and you will find they may remain unremoved for some years without prejudice. The Iris loves the dry beds; Crocus, a mixed, rich and light soil: Carnations would have a Loamy Earth, qualified, if too stiff, with Sea-sand, and Sheep's dung; if too poor, with richer Mould; so the Peöny, Anemony, Ranunculus, and other Flowers; but then lay it at the bottom, such as you take from the last years Hot-bed, giving it a surface of under-turf, which has been fodered on, sweet and aired: In this to plant your Roots, but so as not to touch the Soil, but rather let it lie about the Pasture-Earth, in which your Bulbs should always be planted: For all dunged Earth's canker the roots of Flowers, whilst their fibers, reaching the heartier Mould, draw from it without danger. But if you would indeed be provided of excellent Earth to plant most Flowers in, lay turf of Pasture-ground in heaps for two Winters, till it be perfectly consumed: This is also admirable for Tuberous roots, and indeed all up-land-mould, whether Sandy or Loamy, may be made perfectly good with Neats-dung laid on the surface about Michaelmas for one year, that it may wash kindly in; then in September after, pair this turf off as thin as you can, and for the first foot depth of Earth, you have bedding for Bulbs and Tuberous Roots superior to any other. Another proper mixture (much in esteem with our Gardeners) is hollow Willow Earth a fourth part, sifted from the grosser sticks, with almost an equal portion of Sheeps-dung (Lauremberg says, Goats is better) with a little natural Mould; and indeed this is excellent to raise any seedlings of Flowers; but for the more minute and delicate, such as Cypress, Mulberry, the Samera of Elm, and the like, prepare a Mould almost of powder, gently refreshed with a dewy sperge or brush, not with the watering-pot, which plainly gluts it.  
Auricula, Anemonies, etc. should be raised in the Willowmould described above, but planted forth where Neats-dung and Loam is sifted among the pasture Earth.  
The Pine and bigger kernels make great advance by being coated with dung, which being grown to great Trees abhor it. Touching change of Crop, something has been said already, and Pease degenerate betimes, at least in two or three years, be the Land never so good; so 'tis observed, that most Plants long standing in the same bed, impair both the Ground and themselves, especially Sorel.  
To Conclude; for a general good Garden-soil, take the natural under-turff, if it be not too stiff; add to it a quarter part of Neat or Sheeps-dung perfectly consumed; one bushel of sleeked lime to each load of Mould, with some sweet, though rotten Wood-pile or Willow-Earth, mix it well together; and you have a choice composition for all your rare Exotics, Oranges and Case-shrubs; remembering to place the sprag of rotten bavins, hampers or baskets, to keep the Mould lose, with Limestone, Brickbats, Shells and other rubbish at the bottom, that the water may pass freely, and not rot the fibers: And therefore be careful never to make your Cases close below, but rather so barred, as to be able to keep the course materials from dropping through, whilst auger-holes (though never so thick boards) are apt to be stopped up, and then your roots do certainly rot, and your trees grow sick. The same is to be observed in Pots, and that you place them about an inch from ground, that they may freely drain, and as freely receive refreshing. But I must not quit these curiosities, to speak of the cooler Composts, till I have described the best Hot-bed that I know of.  
Dig a Pit or Fosse, hot-beddepth, four foot is sufficient, and of what figure and dimension you think will best entertain your furniture for it; if it be twenty foot in length, and ten foot broad, I think it competent: Line the sides with a wall of brick and half thick; fill this pit with fresh soil from the stable, trodden as other hot-beds are, but without any Mould at the surface. In this place Woodden-Cases, made like Coffins, (but not contracted at the extremes, nor lidded) of what length and breadth you think best, but not above a foot in depth; let these be Dove-tailed, with wooden handles at each end, to lift in and out, and lastly, bored full of auger-holes at the bottoms: Your Cases thus fitted, fill them with proper Mould, such as you would sow Melon-seeds in, or any other rare Seed, and thus place them in your bed of dung. The heat will pass kindly through the perforations, and continue a cherishing warmth five times as long as by the common way of Hot-bed, and prevent you the trouble of making new and fresh; for, the whole process of the Melon, or what other of choicer Plants, require more than one removal: The heat of this bed continues eight or ten weeks without need of repairing, and if it should, 'tis but casting in some fresh-made soil and littier, beneath, and about your Cases, of which some you may glaze Cheveron-wise at the top, and with spiracles or casements, to refresh, and give them Air and Sun at pleasure. And these Beds, where you cannot conveniently sink them for want of depth, because of water, you may build above ground as well; and you may, or may not extend a Tent over it, to keep out Rain, Wind and Sun, according as you find occasion. But thus have you a neat and useful hot-bed, as I have been taught to make it by the Right Honourable, the late Lord Viscount Mordant at Parsons-Green, whose industry and knowledge in all hortulan Elegancies requires honourable mention.  
And now at last I am come to set down the several ways of preparing Composts of Dungs, and those other ingredients we have mentioned, and begin with the rudest, as that which best accommodates to the grosser part of Husbandry (which yet requires a special maturation) and so descend to the more refined: And these I distinguish into the moist, the dry, and the liquid for Irrigation. But first, here by the way greatly to be reproved is the heaping of a deal of indigested soil, and other trash, exposed (as commonly we find it) to the heat of the Sun, continual rains, and drying winds, as it lies in the wide field, without the least coverture or shade; by which means, all the virtue is drawn forth and carried away, leaving little more than a dry and inspid congestion of Caput Mortuum, and perhaps a florid green Circle, or Fairy-Dance at the bottom, which the impregnated rains have enriched with what it has washed from the heap; wherefore to prevent this, and make one load of our prepared Soil worth ten of it:  
Cut a square, or oblong pit of thirty or forty foot in length, at the least four foot in depth, and ten foot over, or of what dimensions you think will suffice to furnish you with store: Let one of the sides or edges be made so sloping as to receive a Cart or Wheel-barrow to load and unload easily; let the bottom and sides also be so well paved, or laid with a bed of small Chalk, Day, or the like, that it may be capable of retaining water like a Cistern: If to this you can commodiously direct any channels or gutters from your Stable, and other sinks about the house, it will be much the better. The Pit thus prepared, and under covert (for that I should have premised) so as at least the downright rains may not fall upon it; cast into it first your Stable soil with the littier, a foot or more thick, according to the depth of your Pit; upon this lay a bed of fine Mould, on that another bed of Cider-Marc, rotten fruit, and Garden off all; on this a couch of Pigeons and Poultry-dung, with more littier; then a stratum of Sheeps-dung, a layer of Earth again, then Neats-dung; lastly, Ashes, Soot, Fern, (a moist and a dry) bottom of Woodstack, Sawdust, dry scourings of Ponds and Ditches, with all other ingredients, as you happen to amass them, till the Cistern be full and heaped up; upon all this cast plentiful water from time to time, which if you can have out of some Pond where cattle use to drink and cool themselves in, it will be excellent: At the expiration of two years you may confidently open your magazine, and separate the Layers as they rise, to cast them into other small Pits or receptacles made a little concave to receive them; where you may stir, air, mingle and work them in with fresh Mould, or one with the other, as you find cause, till they become comparatively sweet and agreeable to the scent: Lastly, you may pass them through a screen made of lathes placed at moderate intervals, and with the liquor remaining in your great Cistern sprinkle the several Composts, and make them up for use, casting the course remaining stuff, which would not pass the riddle, into the Cistern again for farther mortification, and so keep your Pit filled with fresh materials from time to time after the same method.  
There are some who advise us to suffer your mixture to remain till it be quite dry, after it is thus refined, and then being beaten to dust, to strew it upon the ground. And indeed this seems in Pliny's time to have been the Custom; nor do I contradict it, provided you could water it, or were sure of a shower before the Sun had drank too deeply of the spirit and vigour of it, which, reduced in this manner, it does easily part withal.  
Now the Reason of our thus treating Compost of various soils and substances, is not only to dulcify, sweeten, and free them from the noxious qualities they otherwise retain, and consequently impart, applied, as usually we find them, crude, indigested and unactive; but for being immoderately hot and burning, or else rank, and apt to engender vermin, weeds and fungous excrescences, than to produce wholesome Plants, Fruits and Roots fit for the Table, and grateful to the Palate; for which effect, it should be throughly concocted, aired, of a scent agreeable, and reduced to the next disposition of a sweet and natural Earth, short and tractable, yet not so macerated as to lose any of its virtue. The proper season therefore for this work, is the beginning of the Autumnal Aequinox, and wind westerly, both to prepare and lay it on your Land; that, whether it be of wet or dry consistence, it may have a gentle soaking into the Earth. As for fresh Dungs, such as Sheep make when they are folded, it is good advice to cover it with Mould as soon as possible, before the Sun have over-dryed it, for the Reasons before hinted; and by this early application you will find all that is stiff and yet any ways contumacious, subdued, and perfectly prepared before you turn it in. If you would meliorate Ground for Fruit-trees, Roots and Esculents of the Orchards and Olitory Garden, be cautious, that the hotter Dungs approach not immediately to their stems or roots, without such a circumposition of natural Mould as we have commended. But this is a note for such as think fit to use the soil steaming as it comes from the heap; but if it be prepared as we have showed, there is no danger even of immediate contact: And the same is to be observed in Ablaqueation, where we find cause to bare the Roots of Trees, and expose them to the air, for fresh influence, or to abate exuberances; and that the cavity be not filled all at once (when we conceive the Roots have been sufficiently aired) but gradually from month to month, as from October till the beginning of March; and upon other occasions, leaving the surface rough, rather than too count, and tightly trimmed, if only you dig your Ground; which once in two or three years, four or five, (as you perceive your Trees to require Culture,) is advisable, and then to mingle the Earth with a thorough soiling, and refresh it with the impregnate water of your Cistern, will exceedingly recover a worn-out Plantation. This Irrigation may also be yearly given to the Roots of your Fruit-trees about June and July; and the spreading of a little good Soil upon the surface, and rough chopping it in with the spade before winter, is good husbandry, to wash in amongst the Roots, and to draw them upwards, the shallow running of which is of so great importance.  
And thus having showed how to prepare, ripen, separate and apply the several Composts (which for distinction sake we call the dry mixture;) I am next to describe the liquid in many particulars, not much differing from the former Process.  
Betwixt East and North erect a Pergola or Shed, so contrived with a cover, as to exclude or admit the rain, snows and weather at pleasure; sink a Pit for the Cistern as you did the former under it; cast into it all the acid Plants, bitter and rank weeds that come in your way, and grow in the neglected corners of your grounds, such as Esula, Hemlock, Docks, Thistles, Fumary, Tabacco-stalks, Wormwood, Cabbage-leaves and stalks, Aconites, the leaves, trash, and offal, such as cattle will not touch, to these add Pigeons and Poultry dung, with their Quills and Feathers; any sort of Ashes, Soot, Hogs-hair, Horn, hard bones, such as the dogs have gnawn; also Urine, Blood, Garbage, Pickle, Brine, Sea-water, (if conveniently to be had,) otherwise Pond-water, to sprinkle it with, and keep it moist to accelerate putrefaction; but when all is well consumed, forbear the pouring on of insipid liquors, and thus leave it till it be dry; then air, mingle and work your Compost as you were directed above, or boil it into Peter, casting what you find not well digested into the Cistern again for another year, and with a little addition, it will give you half the quantity of the former, and, provided that you supply the Magazine, a continued and farther increase. Indeed this Salt and Compost is not immediately fit for use, till it be well dulcified and purged from its over acrimony, therefore mix it well with your Mould, and dilute it as you see cause. The Receipt is set down by old Glauber for the effecting of wonderful Vegetation, by the assistance of certain Circulatory Vessels to prepare the Oily succus, and pinguid Juice, which that Author teaches in his Miraculum Mundi, to extract not only out of these Materials, but out of Turf, Wood and Stone itself, by calcining and burning them in close and reverberating furnaces, to which a Tube, adapted near the bottom, may convey the spirits into a Recipient, as he describes the Process. I mention this the rather, for the real effects which I have been told of this Menstrue from very good Testimony: And doubtless he who were skilled to extract it in quantity (and to dulcify, and qualify it for use,) a true spirituous Nitre may do abundantly more, in the way of the improvements we have celebrated, with a small quantity, than with whole loads, nay, hundreds of loads of the best and richest dry Composts which he can devise to make. But besides this, any houses of Ordure, or rancid mould, strong salts, vinous liquors, Urine, Ashes, Dust, shovelings of the kenuel and streets, etc. kept dry, and covered for three or four years, will be converted into Peter, without half this trouble; especially if you mingle it with the dung of Pigeons, Poultry, and other salacious Fowl which feed on Corn: Or those who would not be at the charge of distilling for these advantages, may make experiment of the so famous Muck-water, not long since cried up for the doing wonders in the field: Throw of the shortest and best Marl into your Cistern, exceedingly comminute and broken, which you may do with an iron Rake, or like Instrument, till the liquor become very thick; cast on this the dung of Fowl, Coneys, Sheep, etc. frequently stirring it; to this add the soil of Horses and Cows, Grains, Lees of Wine, Ale, Beer, any sort of beverage, broths, brine, fatty and greasy stuff of the Kitchen; then cast in a quantity of Lime, or melting Chalk, of which there is a sort very unctuous; also blood, urine, etc. mixed with the water, and with this sprinkle your Ground at seasonable times, and when you have almost exhausted the Cistern of the liquid, mingle the residue with the grosser Compost of your Stable and Cowhouse, and with layers of Earth, Sand, Lime, S. S. S. frequently moistened with uncrude water, the taking up of which you may much facilitate, by sinking a Tub or Vessel near the corner of the Cistern, and piercing it with large holes at the bottom and sides, by which means you may take it out so clean as to make use of it through a great Syringe or watering Engine, such as being used to extinguish fire, will exalt and let it fall by showers on the Ground, and is much the more natural way of irrigation, and dispatches the work.  
This Liquor has the reputation also for insuccation of Corn, and other Grain, to which some add a fine sifting of Lime-dust on it, and when that is dry, to repeat it with new infusions and sift: But  
There is yet a shorter Process, namely, the watering with Fishmongers-wash, impregnated with the sweep of Ships and Vessels trading for Salt, adding to it the blood of the Slaughter-house, with Lime, as above; but this is also much too fierce for any present use, till it be perfectly diluted, which is a caution indispensably necessary, when ever you would apply such powerful affusions, lest it destroy and burn up, instead of curing and enriching. Another take as follows:  
Rain-water of the Equinox, q. s. boiled with store of Neat's dung, till it be very strong of it, dissolve one pound of Salt-Peter in every pottle of water; whilst this is a little tepid, macerate your seeds for twenty four hours, dry them gently, rather with a cloth than by the fire; sow in the barrenest Earth, or water Fruit-trees with it, for prodigious effects. Or thus:  
Take two quarts of the same water, Neats-dung, as before, boiled to the consumption of half, strain it, casting into the percolation two handfuls of Bay-salt, and of Salt-Peter ana. Another:  
Take Rain-water, which has stood till putrified, add to it Neat's, Pigeon, or Sheeps-dung, expose it for Insolation a week or ten days, then pass it through a course strainer, infuse more of the same soil, and let it stand in the Sun a week longer, strain it a second time, add to it Common-salt, and a little Ox's Gall, etc. Another:  
Take quick Lime, Sheep's dung at discretion, put into Rain-water four fingers eminent; to ten pints of this Liquor, add one of Aquavitae, macerate your Seeds, or water with it any lean Earth, where you would plant, for wonderful effects.  
Infuse three pound of the best Indian Niter in fifteen Gallons of water, irrigate your barren Mould; 'twas successfully tried amongst Tulips and Bulbs, where the Earth should by no means (as we have said) be forced by Composts. But a gentler than either, is,  
A dilution of Milk with Rain-water, sprinkled upon unsleckt Lime, first sifted on your beds, and so after every watering the Lime repeated.  
These, with divers more which I might superadd, not taken and transcribed out of Common Receipt-Books, and such as pretend to Secrets, but most of them experimented, I thought fit to mention; that upon repetition of Trials, the curious might satisfy themselves, and as they have opportunity improve them, whilst perhaps, as to irrigations, less exalted liquors were more natural. And what if Essays were made of Liquors per Lixivium, the Plant reduced to ashes; might it not be more connatural, since we find by more frequent trial, that the burning of stubble before the Rains descend on it, impregnates ground by the dissolution of its spermatic salts? I only name the naked Phlegm of Plants distilled either to use alone, or extract the former salt; but I say, I only mention them for the curious to examine, and ex abundanti. For certainly (to return a little, and speak freely my thoughts concerning them) most exalted Menstrues, and (as they dignify them with a great name) Essentiated Spirits; I say, all hasty motions, and extraordinary fermentations, though indeed they may possibly give sudden rise, and seemingly exalt the present vigour of Plants, are as pernicious to them as Brandy, and hot-waters are to Men; and therefore wherever these ardent Spirits are applied, they should be poured at convenient distances from any part of the Plant, that the virtue may be conveyed through some better qualified medium. But when all is done, waters, moderately impregnated and embodied with honest Composts, and set in the Sun, are more safe, and I think more natural: For, as the Learned Dr. Sharrok truly affirms, Water is, of its own Constitution alone, a soil to Vegetables, not only as the most genuine Vehicle of the riches which it imparts to Plants, through the several strainers, and by means of which all change and melioration is effected; but for that it is of all other substances best disposed for ingression, to insinuate into, and fertilise the Earth, which is the reason that floated and irriguous grounds are so pregnant. Besides, it is of all that pretend to it, nearest of blood (as I may say) to the whole Vegetable Family: For to assert with any confidence, what part of the mere Earth passes into their composition; or whether it serve (as we touched before) only for stability, or as a womb and receptacle to their Seeds and Eggs (for so we are taught to call the Seeds of Plants,) I shall not undertake to discuss. Every body has heard of Van-Helmonts Ash-tree; and may without much difficulty repeat what has been experimented by tightly weighing the Mould before, and after a Gourd is planted in it, and till it be grown to bulk and full maturity, fed with water only; how much liquor is insumed, and how little of the Earth consumed, to make some conjecture; though I do not yet conceive the Earth to be altogether so dull and unactive, as to afford no other aid to the Generation of what she bears; the diversity of soils being (as we have showed in this Discourse) so infinitely various, and the difference of invisible infusions so beyond our Arithmetic. But if we give Liquids' praedominion, and at least the Masculine preference, be they Salts, or Spirits (that is, nitrous Spirits) conveyed into her bosom how they will; sure we are, that Water and Vegetables are much nearer of alliance, than either Water or Air are with the Earth and Mould. But neither do I here also by any means exclude the Air, nor deny its perpetual Commerce, and benign influences, charged as it comes with those pregnant and subtle particles, which insinuating into the Earth's more steady and less volatile Salts, and both together invading the Sulphur, (and freeing them from whatsoever they find contumacious,) that intestine fermentation is begun and promoted, which derives life, and growth, and motion to all that she produces. That by the Air, the most effete and elixiviated Mould comes to be repaired, and is qualified to attract the prolific nitrous spirits, (which not only disposes the Earth to this impregnating magnetism, but converts her more unactive and fixed salts into quite another genius and nature,) the Learned Doctor Mayow has ingeniously 
Tract Medico-Phys. Medico-Phys.  made out; and all this by a naked exposure to the Air alone, without which it produces nothing: Nor can Plants (totally excluded from the Air) live, or so much as erect themselves to any thriving purpose, as being deprived of that breath and vital Balm, which no less contributes to their growth and nourishment, than does the Earth itself with all our assistances: For that Plants do more than obscurely respire, and exercise a kind of Peristaltic motion, I little doubt, from the wonderful and conspicuous attraction, and emission, which some of them discover; particularly, the Aloes, and other Sedums, and such as consisting of less cold and viscous parts, send-forth their aromatic wafts at considerable distance.  
Besides, we find that Air is nearer of kin and affinity to Water, than water is to Plants, unless I should affirm, that Air itself were but a thinner water; for how else are those Vines, and other Trees of prodigious growth, maintained amongst the barren Rocks, and thirsty Pumices, where Rains but seldom fall? if not from this rorid Air. Not to insist again, that perhaps even these Rocks themselves may once have sprung from liquid Parents; and how little, even such as are exposed to continual showers in other Climates, abate of their magnitude, since we rather find them to increase; and that also the Fruits and Juices of Vegetables seem to be but the concretion of better concocted Water, and may not only be converted into lignous and woody substance (as the Learned Doctor Beale has somewhere instanced in a Discourse presented to You, and Recorded in the Public Transactions) but is apt enough to petrify and become arrant stone.  
Whatever than it be which the Earth contributes, or whether it contain universally a Seminal virtue, so specified by the Air, Influences, and Genius of the Clime, as to make that a Cinnamon Tree in Ceilon, which is but a Bay in England, is past my skill to determine; but 'tis to be observed with no little wonder, what Monsieur Bernier in his History of the Empire of the mogul affirms to us of a Mountain there, which being on one side of it intolerably hot, produces Indian Plants, and on the other, as intemperately cold, European and Vulgar. Not here to pass without notice at least, what even the most exhausted Mould will (to all appearance) produce spontaneously, when once it has been well exposed to the Air, and heavenly influences; if what springs up be not possibly from some volatile rudiments and seeds, transported by winds, higher than we usually place our Experiments, unless we could fix them upon Olympus' top: But Porta tells us with more confidence, that he took Earth from a most profound and dry place, and exposed it on such an eminence, as to be out of reach even of the winds; but it produced, it seems, only such Plants as grew about Naples, and therefore may be suspected.  
To return then again from this digression, and pursue our Liquids; where there is good Water, there is commonly good Earth, and vice versa; because it bridles and tempers the Salts, abates the acidity and fierceness of Spirits, and imparts that useful ligature and connexion to the Mould, without which it were of no use for Vegetation. In the mean time, of all Waters, that which descends from Heaven, we find to be the richest, and properest in our work, as having been already meteorized, and circulated in that great digestory, enriched and impregnated with astral influences from above at those propitious Seasons; whence that saying, Annus fructificat, non Tell us, has just Title to a Truth we every years Revolution behold and admire, when the sweet Dews of Spring and Autumn (hitherto constipated by cold, or consumed with too much heat) begin to be loosened, or moderately condensed, by the more benign temper of the Air, impregnating the prepared Earth to receive the Nitrous Spirits, descending with their balmy pearls, yet with such difference of more or less benign, (as vapours haply, which the Earth sends up, may be sometimes qualified,) that nothing is more uncertain. And this we easily observe from the Labours of the Industrious Bee, and her precious Elixir, when for some whole months she gathers little, and at other times stives her waxed City with the harvest of a few propitious days. But I am gone too far, and therefore now shall set down only a few directions concerning watering, and so dismiss the Subject and your patience.  
1. It is not good to water new-sown Seeds immediately, as frequently we do, and which commonly bursts them; but to let them remain eight and forty hours in their beds, till they be a little glutted with the natural juice of the Earth.  
2. Never give much water at one time; for the surface of the Earth will often seem very dry, when 'tis wet enough beneath; and then the Fibers rot about Autumn, especially in Pots and Cases, wintered in the Green-house: To be the more secure, we have already cautioned Gardeners to keep their bottoms hollow, that nothing stagnate and fix too long; which should be but transitory. If such Curiosities strike no root by September, the leaves desert them certainly at Spring: The reason is want of Air, not moisture. Therefore in all intervals of severer frosts, and rigorous winter-weather, be sparing of refresh, and unless you perceive their leaves to crumple up, and fall, (which is their language for Drink,) give them as sparingly as you can. Indeed, during the Summer, and when they are exposed, they require almost perpetual irrigation, and that the liquor be well impregnated with proper Compost: But in hard Frosts, or foggy Seasons, watering your housed Plants endangers them by mustiness, and a certain mildew which they contract. On the other hand,  
Applications too dry create an intemperate thirstiness, and then they drink unmeasurably, and fall into Dropsies, Jaundice, Favours, swell, languish and rot; and if the liquor prove too crude (as commonly it does, if taken from running and hungry fountains,) it extinguishes the natural heat, and obstructs the Pores; and therefore when ever you are constrained to make use of such drink, expose it first to the warm Sun for better concoction, infusing Sheep, Pigeons, or Neats-dung, to give it body: But though Spring-water be so bad, slow running River is often very good, and Pond-water excellent, so it be sweet; but all stinking pools, mineral and bituminous waters, are not for our use; and often good Air is as needful as good water; Worms, Mouldiness, Cankers, Consumptions and other Diseases, being the usual and fatal consequence of these vices.  
If you be to plant in fresh and new broken-up Earth, and that the season or mould be too dry, 'tis to be watered; but then give it a competent sprinkling, or sifting of dry and fine mould upon what you have refreshed, and then beating it a little close with the back of your spade, plant it successfully; for this you will find to be much better, than to water it after you have planted (as the custom is) and as you may observe in setting Violets, Auricula's, Primroses, and other Capillaries, planted in beds or bordures, and then dashed with a flood of water, which, so soon as the Sun has looked upon, resign and lose their tinctures, scorch and shrivel up. Lastly,  
For the Season likewise of this work, let it be towards the Evening in hot and summer days, for the reason immediately assigned; for the moisture being in a short time drunk-up, deserts the Plant to the burning Planet; and hence it is, that Summer mists are so noxious, and Meridian waterings; and therefore the best expedient is, upon such exigencies, to pour your refresh rather all over the Area on which your Cases of choice and rare shrubs are placed, and among the Allees and Paths between your Beds of Flowers, for the raising artificial Dews, (by which is unfolded no common secret;) or water them per lingulam, and guttatim, than either with the Pot or Bucket: And after this manner, if at other seasons they stand in need of heat and comfort of warmth, by strewing Sand or Cinders on the same intervals, the reflection will recreate them, upon all emissions of the Sunbeams.  
As for grosser Plantations, and Trees of old Orchard- Fruits, moderation is also to be observed, and not to dash- on such a quantity near the stem and body; but first with the spade to loosen the Earth about them, especially towards the extremities of the tenderest Roots, which generally sprout at the ends of the most woody, whose mouths are shut with tougher bark. These therefore may be cut sloping to quicken them a little, and make them strike fresh fibers; especially if some rich and tempting mould be sensonably applied: For Trees will (as we showed) with very little Earth to cover them, take fast root, (provided you establish them against impetuous winds, shocks and accidents of force,) and thrive exceedingly with this refreshment.  
Some make pretty large holes with an Iron-Crow, or (which is better) a pointed stake, and pour the liquor in at those overtures; but besides, that by this means they wound the roots, (which gangrenes, and sometimes kills the Tree,) if the holes be not filled, the Air and Moisture mouldies them: So as, when all is summed together, there's nothing comparable to frequent stirring up the Ground, opening the dry clod, and watering upon that; and if you lay any fearnbrakes or other trash about them to entertain the moisture, and screen it from the heat, let it not be wadded so close, or suffered to lie so long, as to contract any mustiness, but rather lose and easy, that the Air may have free intercourse, and to break the more intense ardours of the scorching Sunbeams.  
Thus I have exercised Your Lordships and these gentlemen's Patience with a dull Discourse of Earth, Mould and Soil; but, I trust, not altogether without some Fruit; or, at least, not improperly pro hîc & nunc, as the Subject has Relation to what has so lately been produced, and with happy event made out, by those Learned Persons, who have entertained this Noble Society with the Anatomy of Plants.  
FINIS.   

ERRATA.  
Pag. 49. l. 22. r. un-uniform.