THE TARMER’s manual. 
2.3 
in lo.s.s than fivo hundird tiinrs its weiglit of pure 
Water, llicrrforr it fannol enter the hodic.s of plants 
by solution; and again, it cannot be by solution, be- 
cause till- would de.stroy its being, and it would be 
no longPi found in the pltfnts in its pure state. One 
of the propertit s of idaster is, that it may easily be 
reduced to an iinp>ilpable powder, and thus taken up 
into the cireulation of plants — hence the general re- 
m.trk, the fni'T the better, as a manure. Another 
of the properties of plaster is, that by a moderate heat, 
it readily p.isses into a state of calcination ; becomes 
liquid. ..lid boils like water. This is also a test of 
its quality — the best will most easily calcine; and in 
that state it imparts to the tongue the styptic sensa- 
tion of quicklinie. It is the opinion of some, that 
under this operation, by the heat of the sun, gypsum 
becomes an exciter of vegetation, passes into, and 
forms a component part of plants. Another proper- 
ty of gypsum is, that by chymical analysis it is 
found to be composed of sulpher, oxygen and lime, as 
its most essential properties ; these being the first 
principles, or most |)o\verful exciters, or promoters of 
vegetation, give to this substance the first rank in the 
system of rural economy. 
All the experiments which have been made with 
this first of manures, unless upon a cold, dead, wet 
soil, have gone fully’ to prove, that gypsum is not only 
the best, but the cheapest manure, and most to be 
depended upon, for general use, of all the manures. 
Oxygen is the great vivifying principle in the animal 
world, and is therefore styled, by way of distinction, 
vital air. This, vital air composes 28 parts of a hun- 
dred of atmospheric air, and thus gives life, not only 
to the animal, but to the vegetable world. Abstract, 
or remove these 28 parts of vital air from the atmos- 
phere, and neither animals, nor vegetables can live 
an instant ; they both die. Animafs inhale the vital, 
or oxygon air into the lungs, this commixes with the 
blood, and .gives that florid, or vermillion hue to the 
