G4 
even when diluted with twenty-five times its volume of water. 
A saturated solution of borate of soda, as well as a mixture of 
ammonia and water, disengaged no gas, nor underwent any con- 
traction, but preserved iron from oxidating. Saturated lime 
water, diluted with an equal volume of water, possessed the same 
power. A saturated solution of potash, diluted with 1000 and 
2000 parts of water, preserved iron; but when saturated with a 
current of carbonic acid, the oxidation of the metal occurred in 
common water. A saturated solution of potash diluted with 
4000 or 3000 parts of water, had not the property of preventing 
oxidation, and upon turn sol, this solution exhibited an alkahne 
reaction. M. Payen, sensible of the impracticability of immer- 
sing surgical instruments in a liquid, suggests the propriety of 
forming a varnish of the saturated solution of potash and gum 
tragacanth. He made a comparative experiment upon muskets, 
one of which he varnished over, and the other w as left in its nat- 
ural state. After a lapse of fifteen days the former was quite 
bright while the latter was rusted. He considers that the solu- 
tions of soda will be preferable to those of potash, because they 
are less deliquiscent. The effects of these solutions in prevent- 
ing oxidation were so decided, that he compared, carefully, the 
consequences when iron was placed in common water. About 
24 minutes after immersion a thin opaline halo surrounds it, 
which increases in size and intensity. At the end of an hour, 
it is sensibly brown, and gradually a deposit begins to form on 
the greatest part of the iron, and at the bottom of the vessel. 
104 Celery, to preserve in wtnter. Gardeners frequently 
cover their rows of Celery w ith straw', or give an additional mould- 
ing as a protection against frost. This method is very inferior 
to taking it up entirely, before severe frosts sets in, and storing 
it between very thin layers of straw, on the floor of a damp cel- 
lar, till required for use. Or, which is still a superior method, 
as noticed in the Gardener’s Magazine, v. 11, 63, take it up, 
shorten the leaves and roots, let it dry for a few days, and then 
bury it in sand, in a cool cellar, observing to keep the roots apart 
by a sufficiency of sand. After being thus covered, the greatest 
care will be required in washing it, which should be thoroughly 
performed, by well rinsing, with the root ends upwards. If the 
sand be once suffered to get between the stalks, entire separation 
of them is the only remedy. 
