Natural Hiſtory; other in Urine of Man, other in Water mixed with Chalk powdred, other
in Water mixed with Soot, other in Water mixed with Aſhes, other in
Water mixed with Bay-Salt, other in Claret Wine, other in Malmſey, other
in Spirit of Wine. The proportion of the mixture was, a fourth part of
the ingredients to the Water, ſave that there was not of the Salt above an
eight part. The Urine, and Winds, and Spirit of Wine, were ſimple without
mixture of Water; the time of ſteeping was twely [?] e hours; the time of the
year October. There was alſo other Wheat ſown unſteeped, but watred twice a
day with warm Water; there was alſo other Wheat ſown ſimple, to com-
pare it with the reſt. The event was, that thoſe that were in the mixture of
Dung, and Urine, Soot, Chalk, Aſhes, and Salt, came up within ſix days; and thoſe that after wards proved the higheſt, thickeſt, and moſt luſty, were,
firſt the Urine, and then the Dungs; next the Chalk, next the Soot, next
the Aſhes, next the Salt, next the Wheat ſimple of it ſelf unſteeped and
unwatered, next the watered twice a day with warm Water next the Claret
Wine. So that theſe three laſt were ſlower than the ordinary Wheat of it
ſelf; and this Culture did rather retard than advance. As for thoſe that
were ſteeped in Malmſey, and Spirit of Wine, they came not up at all. This
is a rich Experiment for profit; for the moſt of the ſteepings are cheap
things, and the goodneſs of the crop is a great matter of gain; if the
goodneſs of the crop anſwer the earlineſs of the coming up, as it is like it
will, both being from the vigor of the Seed; which alſo partly appeared
in the former Experiment, as hath been ſaid. This Experiment would be
tryed in other Grains, Seeds, and Kernels; for it may be ſome ſteeping will
agree beſt with ſome Seeds. It would be alſo tryed with Roots ſteeped as
before. but for longer time; it would be tryed alſo in ſeveral ſeaſons of the
Year, eſpecially in the Spring.

Stra wberries watered now and then (as once in three days) with Water,
wherein hath been ſteeped Sheeps-dung, or Pigeons-dung, will prevent and
come early. And it is like the ſame effect would follow in other Berries, Herbs,
Flowers, Grains, or Trees; and therefore it is an Experiment, though vulgar in
Strawberries, yet not brought into uſe generally: For it is uſual to help the
Ground with Muck, and like wiſe to recomfort it ſometimes with Muck put
to the Roots, but to water it with Muck-water, which is like to be more
forcible, is not practiſed.

Dung, or Chalk, or Blood, applied in ſubſtance (ſeaſonably) to the Roots
of Trees, doth ſet them forwards. But to do it unto Herbs, without mixture
of Water or Earth, it may be theſe helps are too hot.

The former means of helping Germination, are either by the goodneſs
and ſtrength of the Nouriſhment, or by the comforting and exciting the
Spirits in the Plant, to draw the Nouriſhment better. And of this latter kinde
concerning the comforting of the Spirits of the Plant, are alſo the experi-
ments that follow; though they be not applications to the Root or Seed. The planting of Trees warm upon a Wall, againſt the South or South-Eaſt
Sun, doth haſten their coming on and ripening; and the South-Eaſt
is ſound to be better than the South-Weſt, though the South-Weſt be the
hotter Coaſt. But the cauſe is chiefly, for that the heat of the morning
ſucceedeth the cold of the night; and partly, becauſe (many times) the
South-Weſt Sun is too parching. So likewiſe planting of them upon the
Back of a Chimney where a fire is kept, doth haſten their coming on, and
ripening: Nay more, the drawing of the Boughs into the inſide of a
room, where a Fire is continually kept, worketh the ſame effect; which