THE FARMER'S MA:\UAL. 



inquiry, as Gypsum, or Plaster of Paris. When 

 it was first introduced, its immediate effects were so 

 striking as to excite alarm ; and it was soon pronounc- 

 ed a dangerous drainer of the soil, or present benefit, 

 attended with an after evil ; a manure that would make 

 rich fathers, and poor sons ; this alarm has in some 

 measure subsided, (though not altogether,) and this 

 most valuable enlivener of vegetation is now coming 

 into general use. 



The nice investigations of the learned Dr. Davy, 

 have proved Gypsum to be the most natural food 

 for plants, of all the manures in use ; by show- 

 ing by a chymical analysis, that Gypsum is the 

 only substance taken into circulation in its pure 

 state, and forming a component part of vegetable 

 substances. This fact being proved, and disclosed 

 by so high an authority, has led to further inquiry into 

 the modus opperandi or the manner in which this 

 is done. 



Chymists reason thus ; Gypsum will not dissolve 

 i v n less than five hundred times its weight of pure 

 water, therefore it cannot enter the bodies of plants 

 by solution ; and again, it cannot be by solution, be- 

 cause this would destroy its being, and it would be 

 no longer found in the plants in its pure state. One 

 of the properties of plaster i's, that it may easily be 

 reduced to an impalpable powder, and thus taken up 

 into the circulation of plants hence the general re- 

 mark, the finer the better, as a manure. Another 

 of the properties of plaster is, that by a moderate heat, 

 it readily passes into a state of calcination ; becomes 

 liquid, and boils like water. This is also a test of 

 its quality the best will most easily calcine ; and in 

 that state it imparts to the tongue the stythtic sensa- 

 tion of quicklime. It is the opinion of some, that 

 under this operation, by the heat of the sun, Gypsum 

 becomes an exciter of vegetation, passes into, and 

 forms a component part of plants. Another proper- 

 ty of Gypsum is, that by chymical analysis it is 



