132 TlMEHRI. 
his example and writings brought it into general notice. 
Experimental trials of it were soon being made in all 
directions. TSCHIFFELI in Switzerland, SCHUBERT in 
Germany, and Franklin in America, wrote about it. 
Its use extended rapidly in France, and thence to 
North America, — the recently cleared lands there being 
most beneficially acted on by gypsum, according to the 
reports of the celebrated French chemist, BOUSSINGAULT. 
FRANKLIN, who had learnt of the use of gypsum in 
Paris, on his return to America, astonished the farmers 
there by strewing gypsum in a meadow, in the form of 
gigantic letters, spelling the word "gypsum," the effect 
being that the superior growth of the plants where 
the substance was placed, caused the letters to become 
plainly revealed. 
As usual, however, the advocates of gypsum claimed 
too much in its behalf, describing it as a universal 
manure, advantageous for every kind of crop, beneficial 
to each variety of soil ; whereas experience soon proved 
that only certain plants, chiefly leguminous fodder crops 
(clover, lucern, sainfoin, &c.) were largely benefited by 
its application. 
Towards the end of the eighteenth century, an inquiry 
into the action of gypsum as a manure, was instituted 
by the French Government, the chief points held to have 
been established being : i. That gypsum acts favourably 
on artificial meadows, although not if the soil is very 
damp ; ii. That it will not convert a barren soil into a 
fertile one ; iii. That it does not sensibly increase the 
crop of cereals. 
The procedure of the French Official Committee 
appears merely to have consisted in soliciting opinions 
