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On Gypsum, By Richard Peters. 



Read October 13th, I80r. 



I often receive a variety of enquiries in letters from 

 distant places; and in conversations, with those who 

 strew the plaister of parts. I find some are still doubt- 

 ful as to its use, or permanently beneficial efficacy. I 

 had supposed, that this substance was now so well 

 known; and all its properties and uses, so well establish- 

 ed; that intelligent farmers, in all quarters, were per- 

 fectly acquainted with every thing reletting to it. I am 

 not therefore over confidently impressed, with the im- 

 portance of any opinions I may entertain at this time ; 

 when all the information I possess, and most probably 

 much more, must be generally dispersed. If length of 

 experience w^ere necessary, as an additional proof, it 

 would form almost the only consideration, added to the 

 requests made to me by several respectable friends, 

 which would justify to myself, any idea that my testi- 

 mony, in favour of this great auxiliary to our agricul- 

 tural prosperity, is of any consequence, at this period. 

 I can add nothing of essential use, to the statements of 

 facts and opinions contained in the publication I made 

 on this subject in 1797. I have had no reason to alter, 

 or retract, any opinion I had then formed. On the con- 

 trary, my experience, since that time, has uniformly 

 confirmed them. Thirty seven years have now elapsed, 

 since my first acquaintance with the gypsum ; and its 

 agricultural uses and properties. During the whole 

 of that period (saving an interval occasioned by the war) 



