On the Vegetative Efficacy of Sulphur. 207 
and elsewhere, the excellent crops of clover plaistered ; 
and was astonished at the prodigious effects of that 
manure; considering the small quantity used. But 
although the mode in which that substance acts upon 
vegetation, has remained, and will always be a mystery ; 
the thoughts which IZ. Berard has expressed on the 
composition of the gyps, and hisappropriate conclusions, 
have not been useless to himself, or destitute of benefit 
to the art of husbandry. 
“* M. Berard having seen in chemical books, that the 
analysis of the gypsum produced much of the sulphuric 
acid, combined with lime and other calcareous earths ; 
and, calculating its quantity, he saw that this manure 
owed its wonderful efficacy to the suLPHURIC ACID; 
in a proper state of combination to promote vegetation. 
This acid entermg into the composition of animal and 
vegetable matter employed as manure, was to him a 
confirmation of the opinion he had adopted, of the pow- 
er of this agent in the work of vegetation. 
‘The fertility of the lands abounding in volcanic mat- 
ter, as in the neighbourhood of Catanea in Sicily, near 
Naples &c. where the soil is evidently combined with 
the ashes of the volcano, or of decomposed lava, afforded 
a strong proof of the vegetative virtue of suLPHUR. 
“After these reflections, MZ Berard caused brimstone 
to be pounded and sifted ; and mixed it with ashes, to 
render the sowing easy. Having spread this powder on 
clover and lucerne, on wheat, and natural grass, he 
waited the effect. It was surprising on the /ucerne and 
clover ; but little perceptible on the wheat and natural 
a 
