7 
On Plaister of Paris. 115 
** Many years since, I republished your tract on the 
use of gypsum ; which had the effect to cause. many 
experiments to be made ; but generally with ‘s 3 
cess.—However Mr. H. Smith (or Smythe) ares ecta- 
ble experimental farmer, near Feversham in Kent, has 
fortunately succeeded, on a calcareous soil. He assures 
me, that there are above s1x THOT SSN ES under 
plaister, in his vicinage. He received the gold, or silver 
medal, from our society of arts and sciences.” 
It will be seen that we have as much success here on 
other soils, as we experience on those mixed with calca- 
reous matter. The vegetable or animal substances, found _ 
in the earth by the plaister, are here the causes of its 
efficacy. Probably this is the same Mr. Smythe before 
mentioned. It seems strange, that, in England, the plais- 
ter agrees with calcareous matter in the earth, and yet, 
there, it is said not to agree with dime; the basis whereof 
is calcareous matter. 
RicHarpD PETERS. 
October, 1810. 
