4y 



AemCBLTKRAlr ilSSATS. 



vegetation. The magnesia limestone is (listing uLslied tTow 

 that which is purely calcareous, by the slowness of its solution 

 m acid, which is so considerable, that the softest kind of the 

 Jbrmer is much longer in dissolving than marble.* 



GrrsuM. The qualities of this manure are so well under- 

 stood by our farmers, that a particular explanation of them may 

 be thought unnecessary. It may however, be interesting to 

 know that gypsum is found in the earth, in four different states : 

 1, in the pulverulent and friable form, which constitutes gyp- 

 »ious earth, fossil flour, &c. ; 2, in solid masses, which consti- 

 tute plaster stone ; 3, in stalactites, and 4, in determinate crys- 

 tals of different forms." The author f who has given this ac- 

 eount of gypsum, observes, "that on 3 hundred parts of gypsum 

 »ontain thirty of sulphuric acid, thirty-two of pure earth, and 

 thirty-eight of water. It is subject to a great number of vari- 

 eties of color, which are the signs of various qualities, relative 

 to its uses. That which is grey is less valuable than the white. 

 The several states of the oxides of iron, with which it abounds 

 in greater or less quantities, constitutes its rose colored, red 

 and black varieties." In all tight, hard and dry soils, which 

 are not too near the ocean, it has generally been found to be a 

 valuable manure, and it has a tendency to equalize the respec- 

 tive value of the soils, by enabling the farmer to render those 

 which are light and sterile, almost as productive as those 

 which are naturally rich. From one to two bushels has been 

 found sufficient for an acre, varying the quantity according 

 to the condition of the soil It has been generally 

 found most valuable when applied to red clover, as it great- 

 ly increases that crop, and fits tliq soil to produce others. For 

 corn, planted on land of rather a light and dry soil, it is very ef- 

 ficacious: about a common spoonful, of that which is good, is 

 sufficient for a hill. It has been found more or less, a stimu- 

 lant to every kind of plant, except wheat and rye ; on those it 

 seems to have no very sensible effect, but will often cover the 

 ground with a fine sward of white clover, which is an indica- 

 tion that it has enriched the soil and fitted it for a better suc- 

 ceeding crop ; for it is well known that a rich sward will al- 

 ways atford a good crop of wheat or rye. If then, the farmer 

 would reap immediate benefit from this manure, by putting it 

 on his fallow ground, or that which he intends for winter grain, 

 he should apply it early in the spring, and by the first of^'June 

 the field may be covered with a fine growth of white clover; 

 then if the ground be broken up, and the sward effectually coy- 



* See Henry's Chemistry. t Mr, Chaptal. 



