On Gypsum* i6S 



culture. There was, some years ago, and, unless the 

 troubles in Germany have distracted this valuable insti- 

 tution, there may yet be, a society at Leipsick whose 

 labours would enrich our country with much valuable 

 information ; were translations made of their essays and 

 communications, on a great variety of agricultural sub- 

 jects. Among them will be seen, some excellent ac- 

 counts of the gypsum ; by which it will appear, that its 

 uses in agriculture had been long known in that coun- 

 try, and that it was there held in high estimation. The 

 varieties of opinion, and the prejudices entertained 

 here, are similar to those existing, and ably refuted in 

 Germany, 



Two respectable farmers who live on and near the 

 tide waters of the Delaware^ in this state, have recently 

 informed me, that the gypsum has ceased to benefit their 

 lands ; though it had at first been highly serviceable. — 

 On enquiry I find this misfortune to be singular, even 

 in the quarter in which they reside. Their situations 

 are peculiarly exposed to bleak easterly winds, which 

 blow over their fields damp vapours : and overload thi^ 

 operative part of the plaister. Possibly water is to be 

 found at small depths, from the surface of their lands. It 

 is a property of the sulphuric acid to attract water. Chy- 

 mists discover this in their laboratories, farmers perceive 

 it in their plaistered fields; which retain moisture, long 

 after it has evaporated from other grounds. In combustion^ 

 the sulphuric acid parts with its oxygen^ and retains hy- 

 drogene; and there may be some process in nature, which 

 operates, in some situations, similar eftects. We know 

 that air impregnated with marine salt, neutralizes or 



