386 (AsSEMBLV 



The purple Iodine of our modern chemistry, is obtained from 

 Algae. This article is deemed indispensiWe in Baguerreotyping. 

 What connection is there, if any, between the Tyrian purple and 

 thib Iodine. 



THE JERSEY PHOSPHATE OF LIME. 



Prof. Mapes. — The company have orders for any quantity of 

 the native bone-earth, which they can supply at five pounds 

 sterling a ton, but they have raised their price to seven pounds 

 a ton, and that has, for the present, closed the sale of it in 

 England. 



The Secretary asked Dr. Antisell, what is the specific gravity 

 of bone-earth ? water being sixty pounds the cubic foot. 



Dr. Antisell. It is three. One bushel of it is equal in weight 

 to four bushels of bone dust. 



Prof. Mapes — observed that as cartage (>n farms is a very com- 

 mon expense, much is thus saved in the article of bone earth as 

 to bulk and weight. One wagon can carry at once enough of it 

 for many acres ; and almost every farm requires more or less of 

 it as an amendment to their soils. 



Dr. Antisell. — Green sand, similar to that of New-Jersey, is 

 found in England, but all the phosphoric part of it is deemed to 

 be due to the Coprolites, (the excrements of the monster lizards 

 of the early ages,) with which the green sand is connected in 

 site. In the green sands of New-Jersey, I have not yet found on 

 analysis more than five and a-half per cent, of phosphate, and 

 commonly much less, even as low as one per cent. It should be 

 in every soil or the manure to be put on it. Pusey took out a 

 patent for his artificial manure several years ago ; his plan failed. 

 Liebig and others have been tried. We are thrown back much 

 upon the old barn-yard manure system. By following, which it 

 is known that the important element nitrogen is acquired by the 

 soils. 



Prof Mapes. — As a general rule it is true that soil has mine- 

 ral manure enough; barn-yard manure cannot supply all that is 

 wanted. 



