METALS AM) '1' III: IK OKKS. 2$ 



fact that finely divided materials have the j^ower of absorbiiii^ moisture 

 from the air; but such unscientific: statements as ai)i)eared in the testi-^ 

 monials foresliadowed the withdrawal of the substance to serve for a fer- 

 tilizer. The following extracts will illusti-ate: 



Bear Sir: I very gladly write you a statement of the effects of the "Grafton Fertil- 

 izer" as seen in my garden. Two quarts of " Fertilizer" were placed about the roots of 

 a grape-vine which had never borne more than a plateful. It is covered with bunches 

 of fruit now of a very large size, which will ripen much earlier than usual. I think the 

 chemical properties contained in this "Fertilizer" will serve to hasten the period of 

 ripening of all fruits and vegetables. Melons, cucunilxMs, and s(|uashes flourish finely 

 under its inllucnce. Last year the nIiics vvcro riddled by the sUiped bug; this season, 

 wiien they api)eared, handfuls of the " l'"crtilizer " were scattered over tiie vines, and 

 they rapidly "vamoosed the ranch." Not one bug remained! We gathered the first 

 cucumljcrs grown in the town. Melon vines are a mass of yellow blossoms and green 

 fruit, and tiiey are not usually prolific so far north. 



The " Fertilizer" is death to all the insect tribe. Carbonic acid is fatal to animal 

 life, while it is highly essential to the growth of the vegetable world. 'I'he "(iraflon 

 Fertilizer" possesses 32.11 per cent, of this desirable constituent, — solidified, — which, 

 added to the lime, protoxide of iron, and silica contained therein, must jirove one of 

 the most valuable mixtures hitherto discovered. 



For peach-trees, it will undoubtedly be of eminent service. The peach borer can, by 

 its aid, be driven from its haunts, and the pear-blight remedied. 



The success of this fertilizer led E. C. Stevens, of Lisbon, to provide 

 a similar material from Lyman, which also had a considerable sale. An 

 analysis of it shows it to contain, — Silica, 90.60; lime, 3.27; ses(|uioxide 

 of iron, 3.06; alumina, .31; magnesia, .38; carbonic acid, 1.35; water, 

 1.06; alkalies, a trace; gold, a trace. 



Gor.n IN TIIK SuLlMIUHIC'lS. 



Scarcely any topic connected with mining in New Hampshire is of 

 greater practical value than the presence of gold in the various suli)hu- 

 rets, particularly those utilized for the extraction of lead or co])per. It 

 may frequently be the case that the exi)enses of mining will be just about 

 met by the sales of copper or lead, with little or no margin for jjiofit. 

 Should it appear that gold or silver may also be extracted from these 

 ores, this fact may insure a profit where otherwise none could be obtained. 

 In other auriferous district.s, gold is often obtained in abundance from 

 sulphurets, and requires peculiar processes for its extraction. I have 



