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About Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887 | View Entire Issue (April 30, 1875)
WILLAMETTE FARMER. Land Plaster or Gypsum as a Fertilizer. The manorial value of land plaster sulphate of lime hag long been known and acknowl edged. At long ago as when Benjamin Frank lin lived and employed his peculiar bat most effective model of presenting great and im portant truths to his countrymen, land plaster was employed as a dressing npon the land of oar most advanced and intelligent farmers. That great philosopher once adopted the fol lowing characteristic method of teaching the value of this important mineral as an aid to growing crops: He selected a large grass field by the side of a public highway near Philadel phia, which rose gradually from the read to the rear of the field, and staked out npon its surface the forms of certain letters; within these forms he sowed freely his favorite fer tilizer. As the season wore away the grass thus prepared soon shot np far ahead of the surrounding herbage which was not so treated, until it finally stood out in such bold relief of luxuriant green that no passer-by could fail to observe the phenomena, which explained itself in the magio words Land Plasteb. This was a practical test of the value of the fertilizer, which fairly spoke for itself in words which oonld be neither ignored nor disputed. The philosophy of this fertilizer exactly how it acts npon vegetation is not lolly under stood or agretd npon by agricultural writers. It is well known, however, that it has a great Affinity for ammonia, one of the most fertiliz ing agents known. It is this quality which gives its great value as a dUin ectant about stables, where ammoniacal gas is so abundant. A slight sprinkling of gypsum on a compust heap arrests ihe escaping gases at once, and the unpleasant vol ilile ammonia is lost to the sense of smell. As fast as the ammonia pas-es from the mats it is taken np by the Bulphnric acid cootalntd in the gypsum and in combina tion therewith forms a sulphute of ammonia which, when placed in coutact with tho root lets of ytgetation, in a not over moist soil, Teadily gives np its ammonia as food for the plant. Htnce it is reasonably supposed that wben spread upon lind, without a piior contact with the compost heap, it collects ammoLU Iroin the atmosphere and conveys it to the p'ant in tiio same manner as already describe 1. Others suppose that when applied directly to the land it possesses the power of condensing moistuio duiiug the cool hours of the night, and imparting its nightly accamulations to the soil or plant roots daring ihe day. WL ether one or both, or neither of these propositions are true, theie can be no mistake about its groat value as a fertilizer to twry species of vegetation whether grass, erain, viues or trees. The experiment of Franklin has been tried time and again in neany all part of the couutry, and almost always with the most grat ifying success. The i oudiiions of its ue are simply a not over moi-t soil. In corn or roots it may be dropptd in the hill; but the usual way ot ap plying it is to sow it broadcast npon vthe sur face f jr wbtat, as soon after it ii up as it be gins to show the need of moUture; the same with grass. Fur trees and vines it should be spread freely upon the ground. It need not be harrowed in when so spread under any cir cumstances. We have little doubt but that this fertilizer would prove of great benefit to the dry, arid soils of California. We under stand that some of our farmers are already ex perimenting with it, and we trn-t nome of them will send in the results of their experiments as soon as results are reached. Rural Press. A Pretty Scientific Thick. The followins ot endor-ed by Professor Yunng, of Dnnniouth College; it will afford, perhaps, an occasional hour amusement "round the evening lamp," and stiuiul.te scimtiQc reseaich for the young silks: Wrt a tbick piece of wrapping paper or a half a sheet of heavy foohoap paper; dry it thoroughly over the register or on top of tie g ove; while warm lay it d wn upon a varnish) d ttblr-, or a dry woolen cloth, and rub it briskly with a pifce of India rubber. It will become stro gly electrititd, and if tossed against the wall of the room or the lookin-glass, will adheie for a long time. Tear some tissue paper in o bits one eUht of an inch square, an 1 a piece of paper electrin-d in tna wuy described will a -tract them in a very amusing nil nner. Set n japanned tea tray (the varnish mu-t b in go d ordrr, noi woru uu uiuuu ur uruu&tu;, ui uu thieedry objects; lay into the tray electrified paper, and on touching the tray agaiu you will set another spark, lot of the opposite kind of electric ty; replace the paper and you g-t an other, and so on incieuniieiy. rne i ray ana pa Der form, in fact, a very neat and effective tit c- troploius with which can tie pe;foimed many 01 tne experiuieuis aescnoeu in tuu ibxiuuu&s. Doctors . There is no danger that the phy sician will ever become a useless member of society, for the simple reason that instead of decreasing the share of his duties, the culture of preventive medicine of the knowledge of now to prevent diseases as wen as io cure mem after thry are engendered must tend to am plify aud enlarge the same. His will be the task, not merely to recognize the forms of ails and endeavor to combat their effects, but to look into the future aud, through the aid of all circum stances of the presint, predict possible evils and point out means of defense. Add to this the constantly increasing knowledge of drugs and their properties, of the wonderful relations of mind and body, of the natnre and habits of dis ease, which science is rapidly developing, and the phjsician of the future has before him not a narrower but a far wider field for tie exercise of his skill. To Cbtstiuzk Flowebj. Construct some baskets of funcv form with pliable copper wire. and wrap tbem with gauze. Into these tie to the bo torn violet', ferns, eerauium leaves in fact, any flowers except full-blon roses and sink them in a solution of alumu of one pound to a gallon of water, after the solution has cooled. The colors win men uo preserve i to their original beauty, and the crysUUzed alum will hold faster than when from a hot solution. Wben you h tve a light covering of crystals that covers completely the article, remove the basket carefullv. ai.d allow it to drip for twelve hours The basket makes a beautiful parlor ornament, and for a long lime preserve tbe freshness of flowers. To Show thi Path or an Elkctbio Dis chaboi. A correspondent of the English Me chanic says: "Take a sheet of pUsa, wash it well with soda and water, dry we'l with an nu soaped towel, polish well with a clean wah leather. Having found the 'striking distance' of yonr Leyden jsr, battery, or electrio ma chine, plase the sueet of glass just below the points of discharge, so that they may rest up on it. The shock may now be passed over tbe beet, when on removing tbe glass, and breath ing on it, a picture of ihe track of tbe electric fluid will be dUtinctly viaiblt, as clear glass on Pacific Mail Steamship Co. New York to San Francisco, via Panama. RATES OF PASSAGE. w EH m o PS P O T---TT7'' 1 gjfi3ffijBBBl?S Q Q M 3 & HCsThe Rates include the transit of the Isthmus of Panama via Panama Railroad. Also, Bed ding, Board and all necessaries for the voyage. An experienced Surgeon is ou each ship, and no charge is made fiw medicines or medical attendance. s Steamers leave New York every Saturday at 12 o'clock, Noon, And Make the Trip to San Francisco in Three Weeks. This Route offers Special Inducements to EMIGRANTS, who will avoid the delay sf discomfort and expense of the tedious trip overland, by rail. THE STEAMEES OF THIS LINE CONNECT AT NEW YOEK WITH ALL THE TEANS-ATLANTIO LINES FEOM EUEOPE Also at the Isthmus of Panama with Steamers of the Hamburg American Packet Company, from Hamburg and Havre, The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, from Southampton, The West India and Pacific Steamship Company, from Liverpool, And the General Trans-Atlantic Company, from St. Nazaire. All information regarding Through Rates of Passage, can be obtained from tho Agents of the above Lines at any port in Europe, from whom Through Passage Tickets can be purchased. THE OFFICE OF THE PACIFIC MAIL STEA5ISIIIP COMPANY, IN NEW YOItK, IS ON THE AVIIAIIF, PIEE 42 NORTH RIVER, FOOT OF OANAL STREET. SEEDS or Vegetables, TREES, E. J. Trumbull, Dealer in aud Grower sf is VV1 uv .s tgsuasy M,.w-i,wi!i FLOWERS. Shrubs, BULBS, J2to., For the OARDEN, FAHM, and MANSION", 437 Satuome Street, San Francisco. a7Dea riptlve CatsVguis on application. -- naiir .in liU'liilir cfe M aBasHsalnar nffWW'" ItrBssweBBBBBBewfl lrwF lm 1 Br flifflH Horn. 327. 339 and 331 luuoau StrMt, IAH nUNCISCO. fcTB NEW IUFIIOVED HOME SHUTTLE Published Quarterly. January Number Just issued, and contains over 100 Paoi-5,500 r.NGRAViM.i, descriptions of more than 500 of our best Flowers and Vegetables, with Directions for Culture, Loujkfu Plate, etc, The most useful and elegant work. or the kind in the world. Only 5 cents for the yea Published In English and German. Address, JAMES V1CK, Rochester, N. V. ism ta-s f- ' MR 4$70tfa Roye4- >$txrfc lmGkRP Sowing Machine. IDROIOEl, - - $4.3.00. WE ALSO BELL The Home Sewing Machine. These machines nse s shuttle, strslght needle, sad make Ihe Lock Btltch. They are surpassed by none. Tary are tkt nmpUM and ligUat-ruiutUf ma. ckinei i'm tht world. Bend for circulars. Mme. Demorest Reliable Patterns. SEND FOR A CATALOOUE. Roysl Charts, f M0. E. W. HAIKES. Aseut. IT New Montgomery Street (Qrand Hotel BsUdlnf), Ban rrancisco. I will send 12 Flowering Plants for On Dollar irourenoioe from 100 sorts), oy sail OK KAfKEsN, MT ILLUBIKATtU CnlALOUUt, dMeribMihseullurscPUBta A Seeds, . to ruifofnrra rrcst othsn. lor. Address iOWDITCB, tlb Warrsa St., Bostos, aUas. SEED Scientific and Practical Books on Mining, Metallurgy, Etc. Published or issued, wholesale snd Retail, by DEWKV CO., MlHIMO AND SciKNTiriO PUEBB OUOS, B. V. BY OUIDO KUSTEL, MlMIHO EMOINIEB AMD METALLUiUUST. Roasting of Gold and Silver Ores, and the Extraction of their Respective Metals without Quick silver. 1870. This rsre book on the treatment of gold and silver ores without quicksilver, Is liberally Illustrated and crammed full of facts. It gives short and concise do. scrlptlous of various processes and apparatus employed In this country and In Europe, and explains the why and wherefore. It contains 143 pages, embracing Illustrations of fur. nsces, Implements and working apparatus. It Is a work of great merit, by an author whose reptt tatlon Is unsurpassed In his speciality. Price $2.50 coin, or $J currency, postage free Concentration of c Ores (of all kinds), in- eluding the Cblorlnatlon Process for Gold-bearing Sulphurets, Arsvnlurets, and Oold and Hllver Ores generally, with 120 Lithographic Ulsgrams. 1807, This work Is unequslod by auy other published, em bracing the subjects trested. Its authority Is highly esteemed and regarded by Its readers; contslnlng, as It does, much esseutlsl inlormstlon to the Miner, Mill mm, Metsllurglst, snd other profssslousl workers In ores snd ininersls, which csuuot be found elsewhere In print. It also abouods throughout with facts and instructions reudered valuable by being clearly ren dered t gether and In simple order, It contains 120 dlagrsms, llluxtrsilng machinery, etc., which aluae are of the greatest value. PltlCE REDUCED TO (9, Nevada and California Frocessos of Silver aud Oold Extraction, for general use, and especially or the Miulug Public of California and Nevada, with full explanations and dlmctlous for sll metsllurglcal operatlona connectod with silver and gold fram a firellmlnary examination of the ore to the final cast ugof the ingot. Also, a description of the general metallurgy of silver ores, 1814. As its title Indlcstes, this work gives a wide range of Information, applicable to all vein miners and workers In precious metals, affording bints and assistance of exceeding value to both the moderately Informed and the most expert operator, Price, 13 ill cloth, $0 in leather coin. ,20 FINE VERBENA8 FOR $1. Anvnf Miwff.ilowinff umrtl dUoU tnt by mall, pontasp P-.1-J. t W iiu Mch. . Auy Itxttv writ for, 5scc.il., or luueu tor fcl. iNoori.fr rtxtlvrd for ten tban 1 rrnu. Fucnrtu, Ueraittum (Duutle Konaic. nctuua ana i i. untuum-, (us.iwu,. Abut lion. AthiTnutliiii. (JolfU-. CtfUna-. tur uu- themuuiw, lu.il Pul-ix, Cupuca, Kupjlort-uma,1 Btevla. KfviriLH, l.t-llotnoui, nciHOteritrum, UiAt.ia, jiaiiirLU, J-ina,iimx, iKMMjie rriunia BolariUiiiiJjOKl'aBirufu. Vfronlta.. One tuckftA It.ljn... tJ, tm. In Dl.Us .,( V. rlu.fita i.r M Kl -! 11 . I V IMIIISS, sti aim a. an. sis ", cents. Jay lllu.lralid Calalosue or Kew Pnnuj neetu ior ia,a, ai.n anr two pjisria 01 lue ewre beeus sens OU receipt or 10 criua. Auureta u. A juuosan a tm.. &rie, ra. Trite for a Fries List to J. St. JOsl.VMTO!. IfKLATWKTERri aW-gl'hWfW BaBBstaasBwZK'sHBBWaw' VKK 'Zt awsfaieV at., ritUbsrrrt, Ps.,T tsilM. aa&U A - Mmmm 7a Afalr e. Ai. avtamv Vat. Hew BY OTHER AUTHORS. The Quartz Operator's Hand-Book; by P, M. Ilandall. 1871, llevlsed and Enlarged Edition. Cloth bound, I7S paKes. Price, 13. Sulphurots: What Thoy Aro. Hov? Con- ceutrsted, How Asssyed, snd How Worked; with a Chapter on the UlowPlpa Assay of Minerals, By Wm. M.Dsrstow.M.D.; 1M7 cloth bound, HI pages. Printed and sold br Dkwkv It Co, Price, f 1 postage free. The best written work, snd most complete work ou tbe sub'ect treated. ANY OTUEIt 1100K8 UEilllED will be furnished at tbe most reasonable rates by Dkwki k Co., Mining and Hclentlno Press Office, H. V. W'wathf tlrsrs. . , Suvhtas- traded for. Ooe4 agj.uUisasledtxw paid fat. W JD'pLANT'B Almanac, with finely J JK. A Illustrated Catalogue and Price raaCaKl I-lat, for 11175 mailed free) to all. 4B0U Kvery Farmer, Gardener and Nur WllwCaV ,X'man should have one. nM-W"" PtMT S0 C6WaNT, a dull ground." kAl,JH. iJ.,