AGRICULTURE. H 



ture from dampness, whereas common curried leather 

 requires to be opened, cleansed, and ventilated. Col- 

 lectors of books will not be sorry to learn, that a fevv^ 

 drops of any perfumed oil will insure their libraries 

 from this pest. 



"Dr. M. began some experiments with the same agents 

 on wood, to prevent the dry rot, but not having time to 

 carry them on, he recommends the important investiga- 

 tion to others. — With regard to paste, he prefers rosin 

 to alum as a preservative ; but lavender, or any other 

 strong perfume, such as peppermint, anise, and burga- 

 mot, are perfectly effectual for years, however the paste 

 is composed." That which the Doctor himself employs 

 in labelling, &:c. is "made of flour in the usual way, but 

 rather thick, with a proportion of brow^n sugar, and a 

 small quantity of corrosive sublimate. The use of the 

 sugar is to keep it flexible, so as to prevent its scaling 

 off from smooth surfaces ; and that of the corrosive sub- 

 limate, independently of preserving it from insects, as 

 an effectual check against its fermentation. This salt, 

 however, does not prevent the formation of mouldiness. 

 But as a drop or two of the essential oils above men- 

 tioned is a complete security against this, all the causes 

 of destruction are effectually guarded against. Paste 

 made in this manner, and exposed to the air, dries with- 

 out change to a state resembling horn; so that it may at 

 any time be wetted again and applied to use. When 

 kept in a close covered pot, it may be preserved in a 

 state for use at all times." 



He then proceeds — "This principle seems also appli- 

 cable to the preservation of seeds, particularly in cases 

 where they are sent from distant countries by sea, when 

 it is well known that they perish from this cause. — 

 Dampness, of course, will perform its office at any rate, 

 if moisture is not excluded; yet it is certain that the 

 growth of the vegetables which constitute mould, acce- 

 lerate the evil, whether by retaining moisture, or by 

 what means is not very apparent. This in fact, hap- 

 pens equally in the case of dry rot in wood, and indeed 

 in all others where this cause operates. It is a curious 

 illustration of the truth of this view of a remedy, that 



