PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 325 



But the subject is too long- a one for a brief discussion, and that 

 is a fault I have with the Club. There is not time or patience with a long 

 subject that requires time, thought and deliberative discussion. 



Adjourned. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



April 5, 1864. 

 Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the chair. 



Plaster. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — There are two kinds of plaster used in this coun- 

 try. One is the common white plaster or gypsum; the other is from the 

 ^western part of this State. It is of a blue color, said to be of g-rcat value 

 as a fertilizer. As Prof. Mapes is present, I should like to hear his opinion 

 of its qualities. 



Prof. Mapes stated that the sulphate of lime was isomeric with plaster of 

 Paris, sometimes called g'ypsum. Formerly the entire supply was dug from 

 the basin of PaVis, and the caves left by its removal were now used for the 

 growing of mushrooms. The chief supply of plaster of Paris for this coun- 

 try is from Nova Scotia, the purer whiter portions being reburnt and used 

 for casts, wall facings, &c.; the less pure portions are ground and sold for 

 agricultural purposes. There arc many localities from where plaster of 

 Paris can be obtained ditfering in purity. These from the western part Qf 

 the State of New York contain an admixture of sulphuret of lime, emit- 

 \ ting an odor, when struck with a hammer, resembling that of the fetid lime 

 stone of Niagara, which resolves itself into a water cement when burned.; 

 indeed, all hydraulic cements are made from fetid limestone, 

 . Sulphate of lime (plaster of Paris) is composed, as its name indicates, of 

 sulphuric acid and lime, and these ingredients are not separated from each 

 other, even at a high heat. 



Soils which are deficient of sulphuric acid or lime are materially bene- 

 fited by the use of finely ground plaster, top dressed, at the rate of one to 

 three bushels per acre, larger quantities being quite unnecessary. Lands 

 refusing to produce clover are materially benefited by the use of plaster. 



The ashes of many plants contain it in notable quantities. It may be 

 used with great advantage by dusting it over compost heaps from time to 

 time. It acts as a deodorizer, and arrests over violent chemical action 

 during the decomposition of dung heaps. 



Stables may be kept sweet, in a degree, by dusting it over the floors, 

 and thus finding its way to the compost heap charged witk nauseous gases 

 emitted from the surfaces of animals, &c. 



It is sunietimes used in the manufacture of poudrette. The turnip and 

 other crops which are subjected to the attacks of the smaller insects, are 

 oftentimes preserved by being slightly dusted with plaster of Paris. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — Does the plaster lose its value by being kept 

 long after it is ground ? 



Prof. Mapes. — If you want the plaster as a fertilizer it does not, but if 

 you want it as a deodorizer it docs. 



The ground on the side of the farm fences I now occupy was very foul 



