VARIETIES. 
371 
six  inches  in  diameter,  last  year  perfected  fruit  of  a  quality  quite  equal  to 
that  imported.  In  addition  to  its  value  for  fruit,  it  is  a  most  beautiful 
ornamental  tree,  having  a  rapid  growth,  symmetrical  form  and  beautifully 
delicate  foliage. 
This  tree  is  worthy  of  a  trial  upon  the  Western  prairies.  The  seed 
may  be  sown  either  in  fall  or  spring,  in  drills  about  four  inches  apart,  and 
covered  with  two  or  three  inches  of  light  rich  soil.  It  is  preferable  to  sow 
late  in  the  fall,  in  order  that  the  hulls  may  be  acted  upon  by  the  frost. 
When  the  shoots  are  about  three  feet  high,  they  may  be  transplanted  to 
the  sites  where  they  are  to  remain  permanently.  A  handful  of  tamarinds 
from  a  fruit  store  will  supply  any  one  with  seeds  for  a  trial. 
Composition  for  Coating  Iron  on  Ships'  Bottoms. — An  English  mechanic 
has  invented  a  composition  for  coating  iron  and  other  ships'  bottoms.  The 
following  is  the  mode  of  carrying  out  the  invention  : — Take  6  cwt.  of  mineral 
or  Turkish  asphaltum,  or  best  purified  coal  pitch,  melt  and  boil  it  for  six 
hours  ;  then  allow  it  to  cool  to  the  temperature  of  240  degrees  Fahrenheit 
Mix  previously  6  cwt.  of  best  purified  ground  plumbago,  together  with  60 
lbs.  of  arsenite  of  copper,  finely  pulverized,  with  80  gallons  of  rectified  coal- 
tar-naphtha;  when  the  plumbago,  arsenite  of  copper  and  naphtha  are  well 
mixed,  add  to  the  melted  asphaltum  at  the  temperature  of  240  degrees. 
The  whole  must  be  well  mixed  together  and  applied  like  paint. 
Wires  of  the  Electric  Telegraph, — The  wires  now  instead  of  being  exposed, 
in  Paris,  are  underground.  A  trench  is  dug  twelve  or  fifteen  inches  wide, 
in  which  the  wires  are  placed  side  by  side,  but  so  as  not  to  touch  each  other, 
Liquid  bitumen  is  then  poured  on  them,  which  surrounds  the  wires  and 
completely  isolates  them.  It  secures  them  from  the  danger  of  being  exposed 
to  malevolent  persons  and  of  being  deranged  by  atmospheric  influence, 
The  wires  from  the  Tuilleries  to  the  ministry  of  the  interior  have  been  laid 
down  in  this  manner,  and  others  are  in  course  of  execution  on  the  quays 
and  in  the  Rue  Richelieu.    The  same  plan  is  to  be  adopted  at  Lyons. 
Self-Closing  Faucets. — Mr.  Tuthill,  of  Boston,  has  introduced  to  the  public 
some  self-closing  faucets  for  the  supply  of  water  or  other  fluids,  the  pecu- 
liarity being  that  there  is  no  drip  nor  waste,  and  also  an  instantaneous  full 
stream.  Vulcanized  rubber  forms  the  internal  spring  and  packing  to 
close  a  valve  acted  upon  by  pressure  with  the  finger.  It  is  in  the  truest 
practical  sense  a  self-closing  contrivance,  as  the  fluid  can  only  run  so  long 
as  the  pressure  of  the  hand  is  upon  the  valve. 
Anti-blenorrhagic  Opiate.  (Beyraud). — Take  of  copaiba  10  drachms,  cal- 
cined magnesia  4  drachms,  powdered  alum  15  grs.,  catechu  1J  drachms, 
cubebs  9  drachms,  crude  opium  15  grs.,  essence  of  mint  and  cinnamon  of 
each  10  drops.  Mix. 
