INQUIRIES, FACTS, 
OBSERVATIONS AND CONJECTURES, 
ON 
PILAISTER OF PARIS. 
Ketter of Richard Peters, and Answers to Queries on 
Plaister of Paris, by Mr. William West, of Darby 
Township, Delaware County. 
Sir, 
THE gpysum, or plaister of Paris, according to a 
late analysis of its component parts, as declared in an 
English work, is said to be compounded of a mineral 
acid, and a calcareous earth; the first an enemy, the 
second friendly to vegetation. According as the one or 
the other prevails, it is said to be good or bad. Itis said 
there, to operate on virgin soils with good effect, but 
not on grounds which have been long under cultiva- 
tion, and especially those that have been timed. The re- 
sult of your experience is requested on this particular 
point: my observations do not support this assertion, 
Make any miscellaneous remarks, founded on your 
experience, though they may not be immediately appli- 
cable to the queries J take the liberty to send to you. 
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