SEED AND PLANT INVIGORATOR. 



321 



This remarkable article was contained in a strong red 

 paper box about three inches long and one inch and one- 

 quarter wide. Part of the material had been previously- 

 taken out. Besides the above-stated name, the following 

 information was printed upon the sides of the box : — 



" This compound is purely chemical in its character and effects, con- 

 taining in a condensed form those ingredients so generally deficient in 

 tlie soil, and yet so essential to the immediate and certain germination 

 of the seed and the rapid gi'owth of the plant. 



" DIRECTIONS FOR USE. 



"Dissolve this material in sufficient water to immerse 'half bushel' 

 of seed (corn, wheat, &c.); then add the seed, and allow it to soak for 

 thirty-six or forty-eight hornvs; then, for ' Garden Seed,' use ateaspoonful 

 of the compound dissolved in a pint of water, allowing the seed to soak 

 twelve to fifteen hours before using it. It is jioisonous to animals. Price 

 $1.00. Patented April 21, 1874." 



The material tested proved to be a mixture of coarse crys- 

 tals of sugar of lead (acetate of lead) and sulphate of zinc, 

 or white vitriol. Grinding to a fine powder changes the dry 

 article into a wet mass, in consequence of a partial trans- 

 formation into sulphate of lead and acetate of zinc. The 

 same change takes place when treated with water; yet the 

 action is more thorough in the latter case. As the sulphate 

 of lead is practically insoluble in water, only a part of the 

 compound can enter into solution, namely, the acetate and 

 the sulphate of zinc in our case ; whilst the lead sulphate 

 remains largely suspended in the fresh solution as an impalpa- 

 ble powder. The claims of the manufacturer need no com- 

 ment. The article, if carefully used, may act beneficially on 

 seeds infected with the germs of parasites, in destroying their 

 life in many instances, and acting thus similar to a diluted 

 solution of sulphate of copper, which, in Germany, quite fre- 

 quently is used with good effect for that purpose. A few 

 cents will pay, in either case, for the amount of materir.l 



required. 



Nitrate of Soda (Chili Saltpetre). 



Moisture lost at 100° C. 

 Chlorine . 

 Calcimn oxide . 

 Sand, ferric oxide 

 Sulphuric acid . 

 Sodium nitrate . 

 41 



