SOLON ROBINSON, 1846 39 



Review of the November and December Nos. of the 

 Agriculturist. 



[New York American Agriculturist, 6:155-57; May, 1847] 



[December ?, 1846] 



Noxious Effects of Gases of Brick-Kilns on Fruits and 

 Vegetation. — Now, it appears to me, that this matter all 

 lies in a nut-shell. "Everybody knows" that the gas aris- 

 ing from burning coal is injurious, but is it so from a 

 wood-fire? Then if the kilns noticed by Dr. Underbill 

 were burnt with coal, which I presume they were, the 

 story is all told — for the gas is that arising from the 

 sulphur burning in the coal and not from burnt clay. 



Bntish and Irish Flax-Cidture. — Its history, etc., but 

 nothing of American flax-culture. For that is among the 

 unknown things. And yet Solomon in all his glory could 

 not convince me that it would not afford more profit to 

 the culturist, either for seed or lint, than I have shown 

 that the culture of wheat affords. I am satisfied from 

 personal observation, that a vast portion of the virgin- 

 soil of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Mis- 

 souri, is well adapted to the growth of flax ; and yet how 

 little of it is grown. The reason, it is said, is, that the 

 price is too low. And yet in this No. of the Agriculturist, 

 now under review, flax is quoted at seven and eight cents 

 a pound, and flour at three cents. 



It is wondrous strange if flour can be delivered in New 

 York City for less than one-half the price per pound of 

 flax. 



Preservation of Potatoes. — I beg leave to call the atten- 

 tion of the American Agricultural Association to this 

 article, and that they take immediate steps to test its 

 truth, and publish the result, as it is of vast importance 

 if true.^ 



"BurralVs Corn-Sheller." — Is this the last improve- 



* The article stated that if potatoes were immersed four or five 

 days in ammoniated water containing one ounce of liquor ammonia 

 to a pint of water they could be preserved throughout the year. 

 American Agriculturist, 5:337. 



