I. AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY. 387 



ical elements, and second by the creation in large quantity 

 of ammonia and the nitrates by the combinations of the ni- 

 trogen, hydrogen, and oxygen of the air and of the water. 

 The sulphur and the carbonates of iron oxidize in the air 

 with the disengagement of heat, especially in the presence 

 of moisture. The inventor enumerates experiments upon 

 plants of different kinds, in all instances with very decided 

 and satisfactory results, and it is especially recommended 

 for moist siliceous sand wanting in calcareous matter. It is 

 also used as a remedy against phylloxera. 1 B,May 2, 56. 



LUSTEE SHEEP, A NEW BEEED. 



At a recent exhibition in Bremen the fleece of a yearling 

 ram was exhibited, from South Australia, which was so re- 

 markable for its fine silky lustre and softness, and the un- 

 usual length (over five inches) of the smooth, fine wool, as 

 well as for its beautiful, almost dazzling whiteness, that all 

 were satisfied that a fine, firm yarn, and very superior cloth, 

 could be made from it. It was stated that it was a result 

 of in and in breeding of Xegretti sheep with Leicester (Lin- 

 coln) rams ; the number of generations required was not 

 stated, however. 23 C, Aug. 1, 1874, 345. 



METHOD OF EETARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF SILK-W r OEMS. 



In view of the many diseases by which the native silk- 

 worms of France and Italy have been afflicted, during the 

 past ten or fifteen years, it has become necessary to import 

 a fresh stock from foreign countries, especially from China, 

 Japan, California, Chili, etc. ; but these eggs have arrived in 

 Europe at a period when, if hatched out, the necessary food 

 and attendance could not be secured. Quite recently a 

 method has been adopted for retarding the development, by 

 means of ice-chests especially constructed for the purpose, 

 and this has been improved to such an extent that at pres- 

 ent it is within the power of the silk-culturists to retard, al- 

 most indefinitely, the hatching of the worms, or at least to 

 the most convenient season of the year. The eggs have 

 been kept for many months in this way, and apparently 

 without producing the least injury. In some cases central 

 establishments have been erected, at which as many as 50,000 

 ounces of eggs have been kept at a time, these embracing 



