On Gypsum, 



the small beginnings of which I have given a detail; 

 and contrast the present amelioration of onr husbandry, 

 with the situation of our agriculture, when the use of 

 this substance commenced. What quantities of Euro- 

 pean plaister have been imported here ; or how much of 

 the gypsum has been brought into other states, I have 

 not been able, with any degree of accuraoy, to ascertain.* 



^ It will appear in a former communication, that the first 

 important application of the plaister was made, several years 

 before the revolutionary war, on a city lot, by Mr. Barge. 

 In the country, I began with one bushel : and a few bushels 

 had then been strewed to the northward of the city. When 

 the 20 tons, mentioned to have been brought as ballast by 

 Captain Falconer, were procured and ground, I strewed part 

 of it over about five acres. This appeared a bold effort ; and 

 by many it was deemed fanciful and nugatory. The effects 

 were the more surprising, as they so decidedly contradicted 

 all forebodings of failure. The increase of this operation 

 in husbandry has now arrived at such extent, that at two 

 bushels to the acre, 175000 acres may be fertilized by one 

 year's importation into this state. On an average, a ton 

 pulverised produces 25 bushels. Some grind it closer, so as 

 to produce 30 bushels to the ton ; but this is in favour of 

 the seller, and prejudicial to the farmer. Some strew three 

 bushels, more two, (and others one bushel annually) to the 

 acre. But as two bushels are most generally deemed suffi- 

 cient, the calculation was made on this quantity. 



The European plaister imported, is not included, as the 

 quantity could not be ascertained. What is used in the arts 

 and manufactures will not amount to the quantity of Europe- 

 an plaister brought here. 



It is believed, by those who have attended to the subject^ 

 that the quantity used in agriculture in other states, added 



E 3 



