COMMUNICATIONS. 97 



trees. Indeed there is hardly any plant to which it may not 

 prove beneficial, under circumstances of a deficiency of the ele- 

 ments it contains. But of all the plants benefitted by it, red 

 clover, by common consent, ranks first — the difference in the ef- 

 fect between it and the white variet}^ even, being quite marked. 

 The explanation is probably found in the results of chemical 

 analysis — red clover containing 27.8 per cent, of lime, and 4.47 

 of sulphuric acid ; while white clover contains but 28.48 of the 

 former, and 3.53 of the latter. 



It is certainly a matter of no little regret, that a manure so 

 universally regarded with favor, should not be able to furnish 

 a large number of experiments corroborative of its asserted 

 value ; but such is not the case. Among those who have tested its 

 value in England, the following results have been hirnished to 

 the public by Mr. Smith of Turnstall : Of land, previously en- 

 riched by gypsum and subsequently cropped. 

 One square rod unmanured, yielded . . 20 cwt. per acre. 



do do gypsumed, with 5 bush's, , 60 do do 

 Moreover, the quality as well as quantity of grass, appeared to 

 be improved, since his cattle evinced a marked predilic- 

 tion for that which had been fed upon gypsum. Its effect in 

 promoting the weight and luxuriance of the crops is remarka- 

 ble ; so striking indeed, that barren knolls, and patches of weak 

 soil, if deficient of the elements of which gypsum is composed, 

 may be made to yield a larger crop than contiguous richer soil ; 

 and that, too, by simply one application. 



Upon the potato it is also claimed to have a good effect ; in- 

 creasing the amount of production and diminishing its liability 

 to disease. Many farmers are in the habit of sprinkling the dry 

 powder upon the fresh cuttings, just previous to planting, and 

 think to derive great advantage therefrom ; while others deposit 

 a spoonful in the hill with the seed. 



Peas, beans, and leguminous plants, generally, contain the el- 

 ements in large proportion, and would probably be benefitted by 

 its application. 



As to wheat, it is the general opinion, that gypsum has but 

 little effect to increase the crops ; and yet various experiments 



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