336 [Assembly 



The committee retiring, the chairman invited those present, the 

 meeting now being regularly opened, to speak on any subject con- 

 nected with the objects of the convention; when, at the suggestion 

 of Mr. Aycrigg, 



Mr. P. H. Brink presented, with a few remarks, specimens of the 

 injury inflicted on vegetation by the deleterious influences arising 

 from burning brick-kilns in the immediate vicinity. The specimens 

 exhibited were from the neighborhood of Saugerties, and comprised 

 the Apple and Oak, the Vine, and even corn — all growing at dis- 

 tances varying from five to fifty rods from the kilns; Mr. Brink pro- 

 ceeded to give his own experience of the injurious efiects: he re- 

 marked that the vegetation was destroyed the next day after the gas, 

 or smoke as they called it, had passed over; a friend had told him 

 that all soft and delicate Apples were most affected. After viewing 

 this desolation in the gardens and orchards, Mr. Brink stated that 

 he went to the forest, and found that the Oak and Pine similarly af- 

 fected; but not the Chestnut. By these observations he became sat- 

 isfied that the gases of brick-kilns were obnoxious to vegetative life. 



Col Clark explained the probable cause of these injurious effects, 

 remarking that coal not unfrequently contains pyrites, or sulphuret 

 of iron; or, in other words iron combined with sulphur. This sub- 

 stance on being exposed to a sufficiently high temperature, such as 

 is produced by the burning of coal in the manufacture of bricks, is 

 decomposed — the sulphureous portions escaping, mix with the sur- 

 rounding atmosphere in the volatile form of sulphuric acid gas, and 

 are driven to a considerable distance over the adjacent country, in 

 whatever direction the wind may happen to blow. So circumstanced, 

 this gas, if moisture be present, combines rapidly wnth the oxygen 

 of the atmosphere, is converted into sulphuric acid, and is precipita- 

 ted to the earth, destroying or injuring such vegetable organization 

 as is of annual growth, and may intercept it in its descent. The 

 brown spotted appearance of the plants, or rather of the leaves, ex- 

 hibited by Mr. Brink, to whom as chairman of the committee, this 

 subject was referred by the Agricultural convention held in this city 

 last year, were no doubt the result of such a succession of circum- 

 stances; more particularly as Mr. Brink has remarked, that a light 

 rain had recently fallen on them prior to their being gathered. 



These specimens it has been stated, were collected near the brick- 

 kilns in the town of Saugerties, Ulster co., but the deleterious ef- 

 fects, results from the same cause, often extend half a mile or even 

 more; the same eflfects are of course produced wherever mineral coal 

 ■which contains sulphuret of iron, is used in burning bricks. 



