SULPHUR. 57 



purpose of the same would be but imperfectly 

 accomplished. From these remarks it is plain 

 why superphosphates applied in a liquid state 

 are often more active than when used in a dry 

 state. In fact, the solution of the phosphate is 

 more perfectly disseminated, and enters more 

 quickly into the most useful state for plant 

 nourishing. The dry acid phosphate, inasmuch 

 as it quickly becomes insoluble in the soil, 

 remains, on the contrary, where it has been 

 strewn ; it may be in excess in certain places, 

 and be wholly wanting in others. If rain does 

 not disseminate it by mechanical means, it re- 

 mains partially without producing any effect." 



SULPHUR. 



Sulphur, commonly called Brimstone, is a solid 

 of a yellow color, brittle, moderately hard, and 

 devoid of taste or smell. It burns in oxygen or 

 air with a blue flame, forming sulphurous acid. 

 It is this that has the smell commonly attributed 

 to sulphur. It occurs in nature both free and 

 combined. As free, it is sublimed from the earth 

 in some parts of Italy. It also flows from volca- 

 noes. It is also very generally disseminated in 

 nature, combined with iron, lead, copper, etc., and 

 in many soils, as in iron pyrites a combination 

 of iron and sulphur. Sulphur, when united with 

 oxygen and water in certain proportions, and 



