1854. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



575 



arately, either in solution or in powder. If ap- 

 plied to the compost heap, they rapidly decompose 

 the compounds of ammonia, and permit it to es- 

 cape. These alkalies should never be mixed with 

 guano, fur the same reason. Plaster is less ob- 

 jectionable for the reason given above, viz. that it 

 is not readily decomposed by ammonia. 



Concord, 1^4. j. r. 



Remarks. — This report was made to the Con- 

 cord Farmers' Club, last winter, and belongs to 

 the transactions of that time. It wad mislaid by 

 ua and forgotten. 



GYPSUM. 



Many theories have been started by speculative 

 philosophers to account for the stimulant effects 

 of gypsum upon the vegetable system. Former- 

 ly, the opinion was almost universal that it ope- 

 rated only as a stimulant — exciting the parts, 

 and inducing a more rapid and copious appro- 

 priation of the various elementary matters taken 

 up in a state of solution from the soil. Professor 

 LiEBiG, however, in one of his recent works, has 

 presented a beautiful solution of its action on 

 soils. The carbonate of ammonia, which is 

 known to be extant in rain water, and a most 

 salutary and energetic agent in effecting the de- 

 velopment of vegetables, is, according to his 

 theory, attracted and decomposed by gypsum, 

 and solu))le sulphate of ammonia and carbonate 

 of lime formed. As this salt of ammonia pos- 

 sesses no volubility, it is, of necessity, retained 

 in the soil, and economized for the use and in- 

 crement of plants. Both the above named salts, 

 however, operate advantageously upon the origi- 

 nal humus of the soil, and by a specific action, 

 tend to advance its preparation as a food for 

 plants. 



We have often spoke of this subject before, 

 but introduce it again to tlio x^otice of the reader, 

 believing that everything which is known in re- 

 lation to the action of this useful mineral, when 

 applied as a manurial agent, will ultimately 

 tend to the advancement and prosperity of the 

 farmin" art. That gypsum is capable, under 

 certain ciicumstanccs, of producing very marked 

 results, is what no candid observer will deny. 

 On clayey loams, as a top-dressing for grates- 

 land, it is highly esteemed, and is probably an 

 efiBcient and economical manure. 



producing just fruit enough to serve the wants of 

 the family "to flavor the apple sauce." They 

 have never thought of such a thing as planting a 

 •luince orchard, of the best variety of fruit that 

 can be obtained, and cultivating it with care as a 

 crop for profit. We have heard of but one man 

 who pursued this course, and we are told that he 

 received last year fourteen hundred dollars for the 

 produce of, wo tliink, three acres, which was 

 more than he received for the saleable produce of 

 all the rest of the farm. — N. Y. Tribune. 



Remarks. — Iq Boston, quinces are neither scarce 

 nor high in price, nor have they been for several 

 years. They are selling now, Oct. 27, at $1.50 

 per bushel. We think there are about as many 

 grown now as there is a market for, at a fair 

 profit. They can only be used as a preserve, and 

 in quite limited quantities, to flavor other fruits. 



Quinces. — This fruit is scarce and dear in this 

 city. The ))est sell for $G a hundred. For a 

 bushel of very ordinary quality we paid .$2,50. 

 Now can any one tell us why such prices should 

 prevail ' If not, we will. It is because the far- 

 mers of the whole region around New York are 

 the most perverse, obstinate followers in tlie foot- 

 steps of their illustrious predecessors, who never 

 thought of the necessity or ailvanta<;e of jilanting 

 more than throe quince bushes, which stood, yes, 

 stand still, and have stood for half a century, 



EMERY'S SAW MILL. 



A few weeks since we gave an engraving and 

 description of Ilickok's Cider Mill. To examine 

 one of them for ten minutes satisfies any one of 

 their great value over the old mills. A person 

 who purchased one, informs us that he took it in- 

 to iiic ovohard, and made ten barrels of eider 

 with it, alone, the n^ot ,\..^,y i,c need it ! It is on- 

 ly necessary that many machines shuuia u.. Vnown 

 to ensure their being used. 



This week we give another mill, and for a very 

 different purpo.se. It is a saw mill. It is made 

 strong, with joint bolts, patent motallic boxes, 

 large and long shaft and heavy fly-wlieol, and may 

 be used with the Single or Double Horse Power. 

 For Single Power, a 22 inch saw is used ; for a 

 Double Power, a 54 inch saw ; and with the One 

 Horse Power and two men, from 10 to 15 cords 

 of hard wood may be cut twice in two per day, 

 or as much soft wood as they can handle. 



The same mill, l)y changing sjvws, can bo used 

 for slitting boards and plank for fencing, &c. 



Ari'LEs. — The crop of apples in New England 

 this year, as it has been every even year since the 



