On the Vegetative Efficacy of Sulphur. 209. 



"■ ■ ■^ ■ nig 



to ferment, we shall ameliorate the nature of the vines ; 

 and produce the quality of those grapes, which are cul- 

 tivated on grounds filled with volcanic matter. It is, at 

 least, worth the experiment.'* [Extracted from the An- 

 nals of Arts and Manufactures. 1 809. ] 



I have, on garden plants, long and freely used flour 

 of sulphur (on melon vines particularly) to destroy or 

 expel the grubs and flies. I have perceived them to 

 thrive, but attributed their vigour to their being freed 

 from annoyances. I have also used sulphur water on 

 fruit trees ; to banish or destroy aphides. I plaister 

 most plants; and therefore have supposed, that the 

 gypsum alone had benefitted them. A small infusion of 

 oil of vitriol (sulphuric acid) in a large proportion of 

 water, promotes vegetation in, and banishes insects 

 from, garden plants. It would be well to make some 

 experiments with the sulphur alone ; or combined as the 

 memoire mentions, on a variety of plants : on those of 

 the trefoil tribe especially. I do not see why the sul- 

 phur, in substance, should not produce effects similar 

 to those of its derivative — sulphuric acid. But plaister 

 is, with us, cheaper ; and in greater plenty. 



Richard Peters. 



In page 98, agricultural ENquiRiES on plaister of 

 PARIS, X iiention — 



" If Iiigenhausz's ideas of the almost magical powers of the 

 oil of vitriol (sulphuric acid) on vegetation be just, in any 

 vol. II. D d 



