continued in one Station, till they have derived thence the greater part of the Matter fit for their Augment, will decay and degenerate, unless either fresh Earth, or some fit Manure, be applied unto them. 'Tis true, they may maintain themselves there for some time, by sending forth Roots further and further to a great Extent all round, to fetch in more remote Provision; but at last all will fail; and they must either have a fresh Supply brought to them, or they themselves be removed and transplanted to some Place better furnished with Matter for their Subsistence. And accordingly Gardiners observe, that Plants that have stood a great while in a Place, have longer Roots than usual; part of which they cut off, when they transplant them to a fresh Soil, as now not of any further use to them. All these Instances, to pass over a great many others that might be alledg'd, point forth a particular Terrestrial Matter, and not Water, for the Subject to which Plants owe their Increase. Were it Water only, there would be no need of Manures; or of transplanting them from place to place. The Rain falls in all Places alike; in this Field and in that indifferently; in one side of an Orchard or Garden, as well as another. Nor could there be any Reason, why a Tract of Land should yield Wheat one Year, and not the next; since the Rain showers down alike in each. But I am sensible I have carried on this Article to too great a length; which yet on so ample and extensive a Subject, 'twas not easie to avoid.
- Vegetables are not form'd of Water; but of a certain peculiar Terrestrial Matter. It hath been shewn, that there is a considerable Quantity of this Matter contain'd both in Rain, Spring, and River-water: That the much greatest part of the fluid Mass that ascends up into Plants, does not settle or abide there, but passes through the Pores of them, and exhales up into