1847. 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
241 
and accordingly we find that at higher temperatures 
carbon can take oxygen from potassium. Indeed, un¬ 
der the influence of heat, light and electricity, we find 
all kinds of chemical changes going on; and in the 
same manner the condition of form exerts a remarka¬ 
ble influence in these respects, so that cohesion and 
elasticity may be placed among the predisposing 
causes producing chemical results. If a number of 
bodies exist in solution together, they will at once ar¬ 
range themselves in such a way under the influence of 
cohesion as to produce insoluble precipitates, if that be 
possible; or, under the influence of electricity, to de¬ 
termine the evolution of a gas. We have, therefore, 
no true measure of affinity, for the relation of bodies 
changes in this respect with external conditions, and 
the tables of Geoffry are only tables of the order of 
decomposition, and not of the order of affinity.” Cer¬ 
tain phenomena observed by chemists tend to show 
that when a number of salts, as for example, sulphate 
of lime, (gypsum,)and carbonate of ammonia are dis¬ 
solved together in vrater, there occurs a division of 
each acid between the two bases, and of each base be¬ 
tween the two acids, so that at first there exists in so¬ 
lution sulphate of lime, sulphate of ammonia, and car¬ 
bonate of ammonia, while carbonate of lime being 
nearly insoluble, separates. But the carbonic acid at¬ 
tracts a new portion of lime to keep up the division; 
this it must obtain from the gypsum, its acid in turn 
combining with the ammonia; the carbonate of lime 
separates, and thus the process goes on till all the 
lime is converted into carbonate, and the ammonia 
into sulphate. 
It is quite probable that all the beneficial effects of 
gypsum cannot be ascribed to its power of fixing am¬ 
monia, as it in many instances serves directly for the 
food of plants; and also exerts some influence on the 
mechanical texture of the soil. According to Dr. 
Fresenius, certain salts, as sal-ammoniac, glauber 
salts, (sulphate of soda,) and common salt, render 
gypsum more soluble than it is alone, probably from 
the decomposition of a portion of it, and the formation 
of more soluble compounds, according to the principle 
of the distribution of acids and bases. Since one part 
of gypsum requires 430 parts of water for solution, its 
application may not be beneficial to a great extent in 
dry situations; from this, also, results its durability as 
a manure. 
It is obvious that upon soils which are already sup¬ 
plied by nature, its further application would be inju¬ 
dicious. 
The fact that gypsum acts effectually in fixing am¬ 
monia, may be rendered evident by comparing the 
odor of two vessels containing urine, (into one of 
which a portion of gypsum has been introduced,) that 
have been allowed to stand exposed to the air for seve¬ 
ral days. 
When the spirit of inquiry and trust that animates 
your correspondent, pervades the whole mass of the 
agricultural community, dissipating prejudice and wil¬ 
ling ignorance, then it may be expected that science 
u will do her perfect work;” and what perfection may 
we not anticipate from enlightened practice under her 
auspices ? 
In conclusion, I would recommend for the study of 
every farmer, some elementary work on chemistry, of 
a good character , as Dr. Draper’s—-price 75 ets; or 
B. Silliman’s jr.,—price $1.00. S. W. Johnson. 
Deer River , N. Y., May 9, 1847. 
Osage Orange. —-Under this head, in the May 
number of the Cultivator, you say—How it may 
stand the winters of this latitude we are unable to say, 
but deem it well worth a trial, being confident that 
i will answer admirably if it should prove sufficiently 
hardy.” About ten years since I planted some seeds 
of the Osage Orange in rather an unfavorable situa¬ 
tion. A few plants came up; for two or three years 
their growth was very little. They were afterwards 
removed to a more favorable location, when they im¬ 
proved rapidly, throwing out lateral shoots in great 
abundance. Some winters the trees were affected by 
frost; others they w T ere not; whether owing to the cli¬ 
mate, or the luxuriant growth of the tree, I am unable 
to determine; but enough survived every winter to an¬ 
swer the purposes of hedging. A shoot of the last 
'year’s growth measures more than eleven feet in 
length. G. S. Erie, Pa., May 21, 1847. 
Osage Orange for Hedges. — I see by the May 
number of the Cultivator, that some of your citizens 
have got on seed of the Osage Orange, for experiment. 
Three years ago I procured some of the seed, and 
planted it without any preparation other than prepa¬ 
ring the ground, (a sandy loam,)and putting it in, in 
good condition to produce any vegetable production. 
That season, (three years ago,) was very dry here. 
The seed did not germinate, but lay in the ground un¬ 
til the following year; and then I believe almost every 
seed came up, and grew vigorously. The plants stood 
the following winter well. None of them were injured 
by the following winter, (which was a very severe one,) 
except a few inches of a second growth, which started 
late in the fall. For hedges, this would rather be an 
advantage than otherwise; as it would tend to make 
the hedge more compact, without the trouble of prun¬ 
ing. This last winter, none of the young trees suf¬ 
fered more by our climate than an apple tree; and the 
growth being quite equal to that of a young apple tree, 
both in the nursery and tlie few I set out. I therefore 
conclude, as far as I have had experience with the 
Osage Orange, that it will bear the climate of the 
north as well as the apple. Whether it will bear 
fruit is yet to be known. To form a hedge, I judge it 
would be as well, if not better, to plant the seeds, 
keeping them clean, where they are wanted for the 
hedge, as I find them a very troublesome article to 
transplant. The thorns on them are very numerous 
and very sharp. D. Minis. Beaver, Pa., 1847. 
Sheep Husbandry in Virginia. —I see a commu¬ 
nication in the June number of the Cultivator, in rela¬ 
tion to the agricultural advantages of Nelson Co., Va., 
signed u Nelson.” Among other things mentioned, he 
speaks of the adaptation.of that section of country to 
the growing of fine wool, upon the authority of Samuel 
Patterson, Esq., of Washington Co., Pa. If “ Nelson ” 
will cross the mountain into the adjoining county of 
Augusta, he will there find a flock of pure Merinos, 
brought from Vermont, which have been living and 
thriving for the last two years as well, probably, as 
they ever did at the North. No disease has.ever been 
seen among them. This season, the whole flock, (94,) 
a large proportion lambs, averaged within a fraction 
of 5 lbs. clean wool per head. One two year old ram 
sheared 9 lbs. 4 oz. This flock have had no extra 
keep, yet they have been fat the year round. This is 
proof by experience', that this part of Virginia is well 
adapted to the growing of fine wool. I have paid 
some attention to the subject during the last four 
years, having travelled considerably in the southern 
and southwestern states^ (not by steamboat or steam- 
car,) but on horseback, and never have, in my opinion 
seen a country better fitted by nature for sheep hus 
bandry than this section of Virginia. The greatest 
drawback here, is the destruction of sheep by the num¬ 
berless hordes of worthless' cur dogs, (kept generally 
by worthless men,) which go prowling about the conn 
try seeking what they may devour. I hope that means 
