38 Chemical Transformations. [Jan., 



with sulphuric acid and bicromate of potash. The oil of pine-apples 

 is obtained from the action of putrid cheese on sugar, or by making 

 a soap with butter, and distilling it with alcohol and sulphuric acid. 

 It is now largely employed in England, in the preparation of pine- 

 apple ale. Oil of grapes, and oil of cognac, used to impart the fla- 

 vor of French cognac to British brandy, are little else than fusel oil. 

 The artificial oil of bitter almonds, now so largely employed in per- 

 fuming soap and flavoring confectionary, is prepared by the action 

 of nitric acid on the foetid oils of gas-tar. Many a fair forehead is 

 damped with eu-de-miUe-fleurs^ without knowing (%ce write this in a 

 modest ichisjyer,) that its essential ingredient is derived from the 

 drainage of cow-houses ! 



Formerly, European confectioners depended on this country for 

 the oil of winter-green, as the plant producing it grows abundantly 

 in some of our northern States. Its high price, however, led the 

 chemists to experiment upon this subject, and they now prepare it 

 artificially in abundance. 



When we reflect upon these strange metamorphoses, and many 

 others that might be named, we are compelled to admit that the al- 

 chemists of old were not such utterly wild dreamers, after all. 



Small Potatoes. — The London Gardener s Chronicle says, the 

 use of small potatoes for planting can only be recommended in cases 

 where large ones can not be obtained. To plant an acre with large 

 sizes 4 oz. each, requires 2H bushels at 56 lbs. To plant with sizes 

 2 oz. each, at the same distances, requires 14.^ bushels ; and to plant 

 with sets of common sizes in use, about one oz. each, at half the dis- 

 tance, takes about 10 bushels. Experience teaches us that large sets 

 produce the most lucrative crops, and ripen their tubers sooner, 

 causing a freer and earlier growth, both before and after they appear 



above ground. 



^111^ 



Olympias, the mother of Alexander, was of so very unhappy and 

 morose a disposition, that he could not employ her in any of the af- 

 fairs of government. She, however, narrowly inspected the conduct 

 of others, and made many complaints to her son, which he always 

 bore with patience. Antipater, Alexander's deputy in Europe, once 

 wrote a long letter to him, complaining of her conduct, to whom 

 Alexander returned this answer: ' knowest thou not that one tear of 

 my mother's will blot out a thousand such letters? ' 



