editor's table. 



Again, according to Prof. Johnson's analysis, as quoted by Mr. Maxwell, more than one-half is 

 carbonate of lime, about one fifth is sulphate of lime, and three per cent, alumina and oxide 

 of iron — here then we have about seventy-five per cent, of vegetable stimulants. I think it 

 probable, that much of the caustic or kiln lime, used as a manure by our farmers, does not 

 contain much more of the essential stimulants, than this sample. 



The transition limestone, that abounds in this vicinity, contains, in some localities, thirty- 

 six per cent, of impurities, chiefly magnesia, which is obnoxious to vegetation. Now as I 

 presume they use stone lime in the gas woi'ks at Toronto, may not the samples, used by the 

 intelligent gentleman of whom you speak, have been of this character, and not rendered 

 worthless comparatively, by passing through the gas works. 



The sample analysed by Prof. Johnson, as quoted by you, must necessarily have contained 

 a large excess of water, as it is used by the gas manufactux'ers, in the form of hydi-ate, other- 

 wise it would not have been one-half water. 



The mode of managing the lime here, I believe, is, to put it under cover after it has been 

 used in the purification, and allow any excess of water it may contain to pass ofi^, and so great 

 is the demand for it, that the orders from the farmers are sometimes many months in advance 

 of the supply, and so fully are they convinced of its value, that they pay six and a fourth 

 cents per bushel, and haul it five or sis miles, when they can purchase the fresh or kiln lime 

 for ten or twelve cents. 



As an evidence, that they are not behind their neighbours in the proper management of 

 their farms, their beef is much sought after, and commands the highest price in the metropolis 

 of New York, as their butter does in the cities of Baltimoi*e and Washington, this I have 

 heard them attribute to the superior pasture afl'orded by the green grass, the growth of which 

 appears to be much promoted by this " vile refuse which should be buried many fathoms deep, 

 in some barren region." Let us not, Mr. Editor, condemn it noleiis volens as Dr. Ure appears to 

 have done, but give it a fair and impartial trial, and if it should then be found to be 

 worthless, reject it, and "strike it from the list that promises well." Youi's repectfully M. 

 West Chester, Pa. 



We are much obliged to M. and shall be to all who favor us in this way with their 

 experience. We desire nothing so much as light, and above all the light of experience. 

 We shall have still more information on this subject by and by. 



The Carob Tree, or St. John's Bread. — Among the recent importations from Alicant, 

 Spain, were some seeds of the Carob tree, the pods of which, when ripe, contain a few drops of 

 a substance resembling honey, and on that account supposed to be the sort of food used by St. 

 John in the wilderness. It blooms twice a year, and attains a large size; a single tree, some- 

 times, yielding a ton of pods. It afi"ords most nutritive food to cattle, horses and mules, who 

 thrive wonderfully upon it, and it will, doubtless, succeed well in the Southern, and perhaps in 

 the Middle States — Newspaper Paragraph. 



The Carob tree, [Ceratonia Siliqua) would doubtless be a valuable addition to our Southern 

 States, coming as it does from the same latitude as the " Pride of India" [Mclia Azedarack) 

 and other things which are found to do well in the South. In the middle States it would pro- 

 bably rank with the julibrissin in hardiness, no further. The fruit is about the length of our 

 Honey Locust, about half as wide, but considerably thicker; aijd, instead of a "few drops 

 resembling honey," is filled with a sweet pulpy mass, at least such were those eaten by the 

 writer. 



The cattle "tc/io" hrive well on it, doubtless find nothing deleterious in the seeds, in which 

 case it could not fail to be nutritious. I have occasionally met with specimens in Phila. and 

 New York collections, not " recently imported." P. 



Whitlavia grandiflora, has flowered in this vicinity, and proves a very pretty addition 

 hardy annuals. The habit and appearance of the plant is similar to the Eutoca ; but 



