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About Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887 | View Entire Issue (May 28, 1875)
-,-v tjrwrj t pf WJ,- '1K W"& V WILLAMETTE FARMEP -3iy, .1, i.fti, ,- PopdL Licjijivis. Economy of the Vegetable Kingdom. ThlrteentL Lector delivered before the UnlTentty of Oil Morula College of Agriculture, on Friday, February , 6th, by Pbof. C. E. Bzsazr. From Pacific Rural Preu, Our Timber Trees. To the student, as well as to the practical man, the timber producing trees of the Pacifio slope furnish a topio of great interest. A well grown tree is a grand object, interesting to every one, from the dreamer who only asks of it that it throw its shade over him, to the .lumberman who asks it to yield him the boards, planks, joists and shingles so Bnngly packed away within its shaggy bark; donbly interest ing to the lover of nature, who studies its forms and dwells npon its beauty as if it were an ani mate thing, who loves it as a fellow creature, and who mourns as for a friend when some ruthless hand fells it. Wonderful machines trees are, pumping up day after day tons of water, which they allow to steam through the millions of breathing pores in their leaves ; send ing their roots down into the darkness of the earth among the rooks and roots, and bringing up from thence the materials with which they build tall shafts which out-top all other living things. They are nature's master-pieces. Go and stand beside the glgnntio Sequoias of the Calaveras or Mariposa groves, the Auracarias of Norfolk island, or the monstrous gum trees of Australia, and you are with the largest living things on earth. What thing of life can claim even half the antiquity of some of the trees now growing? Our largest redwoods were seedliDgs one thous and years ago. Bun back if you cm over all the changes our English speaking race has seen during the time these redwoods were growing. Thirty one centuries ago the Big Trees of California bnrst their seed coats and began their long reaching toward the skies, bbgan adding cell to cell for the construction of spires which should withstand the storms of more than three thousand years. Thirty-one hun dred years ago, Twelve Centuries Before Christ, When the names of which old Homer sung were sun iresn in me memories oi men, uur people, our civilization, and our religion have risen since these giant trees be Ran existence. But what Bhall we say for the great dragon tree which until within a few years was stand ing upon the island of Teneriffe? Careful esti mates placed its age at considerably more than Ave thousand years. When Moses wrote his account of the world, this dragon tree had been for more than a thousand years braving the storms which swept down upon it from the ocean; when onr Sequoias were tiny sprouting plants, it had already seen more than twenty centuries; when Rome was in her glory, this ancient tree had passed the meridian of its life. This one living thing spanned with its life the known world; its youth was in the pre-historio past, its old age extended to our present. Interesting as these inquiries are, I wish, to-night, to call your attention to another view of the matter. Trees, if usable, represent dol lars and cents, but if unfit for use, their com mercial value is nothing. Now the uses which give value are many; without attempting to enumerate all, they are such as the following: they may furnish food, medicines, timber, gums, balsams, perfumes, spices, dyes, orna ments, etc. But few trees are so poor as not to furnish one or more of these. With us the great demand is that our trees furnish timber. The question of the lecture then, shall be, What Trees Furnish us with Timber ? A convenient division of timber trees is imo "soft wood" and "bard wood" varieties; and under these names timber 'men and lumber dealers buy and sell the woods found in the market. To the soft wood division belong all tne pineB, redwoods, urs, spruces, cedars, larches and other cone-bearing trees, as well as the poplars, cottonwoods, lindens, white- wood and a few others. In the hard wood di visions are found the oaks, beeches, chestnuts, hickories, walnuts, elms, ashes, laurels, cher ries, maples, locusts and many others. Among the soft wooded trees the pines stand as of the greatest importance. There are many species wLicb are abundantly distributed throughout the northern half of the globe, and in every country one or more species seem es pecially adapted to meet the wants of civilized man. The Scotch pine, Pinu3 sylvestris, called also the Scotch fir, is a tree found in Europe and Northern Asia. It is a fine tree, growing best in the mountainous districts, where it at tains the height of upwards of eighty feet, with a diameter of from four to five feet. Its lumber is known in England under the names of red and yellow deal, and is largely used for many purposes. The white pine, Pinus strobus, oalled also Weymouth pine, is a native of the Northern United States. In Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, vast acres were formerly cover ed by this pine. It is a tall, slender tree, often in the dense forests attaining a hight of two hundred feet, with a diameter of but four to five feet. Its wood is for the Northern States what the Scotch pine is for the countries of Europe. It is white, easily worked, reasonably strong and durable, not given to warping or checking, and besides, it takes paint well, all of which qualities at once commend it to the builder and manufacturer. Its Uses are Almost Numberless. Yellow pine, Pinus australis, is found grow ing in the Southern Atlantio States, especially in Georgia and Florida, where it forms exten sive forests. This is the pine of the South, replacing the white pine of the North. It is not aa large tree as its Northern rebtive, attaining an average hight of less than one hundred feet. Its wood Is yellowish in color, dense, heavy and gummy. When dry it be comes very hard, and is then quite difficult to work. Although used in the South for almost all kinds of work, it Is especially fitted for use as flooring, and for this purpose it U largely brought to the Northern markets. It is even used somewhat in California for this purpose; a large cargo waa landed a short time ago for the Palaoe Hotel in the city. The sugar pine, Pinus Lambertiana, of Cali fornia, may be said to be the Western repre sentative of the foregoing trees. It is botani cally very near relative of the while pine of the East, which it resembles very closely in everything excepting size, being a giant m compared with its Eastern congener. Place two boards aide by aide, the one from the white pine, the other from the auger pine, and ttwonkUanoetdifleult thing to tell which vaswhWh. If California had no other eonifire, sugar pine would be used for as many purposes as the white pine, but you are so fortunate as to have three or four others having different qualities, so that the use of sugar pine is somewhat restricted. On account of its light ness, firmness, strength, esse of working, free dom from warping, and readiness to take paint, it is largely used for doors, sashes and blinds. The redwood tree. Sequoia sempervirens, is the great lumber producing tree of California. It is not a pine, but is more nearly a cypress, having cones and leaves much more nearly resembling the latter than the former. It is peculiar to this coast, and even here it appears restricted to certain favorable localities. Dr. Gray considers the redwoods (including the giant trees, which are near relatives), as the remnants, so to speak, of A Former Gigantic Race of Trees, Which extended throughout the northern hemisphere, climatio and other changes bavins destroyed them lono nim in all countries but California. Beyond the Sierras here and there we find the fossil remains of gigantic trees; and we can trace them away Eastward, even into Northern Asia. Here alone in favored California has the climate re mained stable enough to permit their continuance to the present. But even here there has been some change; for now the redwoods are some what restricted to certain districts, while we know from fossil and other remains that they once covered portions of the State where now none are to be found. On the tops of the Const Range mountains are roots andpieces of stumps of ancient redwood forests. They rep resent a dying race, which specially favoring conditions have given a little longer lease on life. The Douglas SDruce. Abies DounlasiL in a native of tbe Rocky Mountains, Sierra and California regions. A beautiful tree, it was long ago taken tc Europe as an ornamental tree for the parks and gardens. Here it is cnieny interesting on account of its timber, which is much sought after by railroad men. Its durability when in the ground makes it very valuable for ties and posts, for which it is much used. It is also brought into the market as boards and planks under the name of spruce lumber. Oregon pine and Oregon fir are names ap plied to a very valuable timber brought to our market from Oregon and Northern California. The name pine is not properly applicable to this tree, as it belongs to the botanical genus, Abies, the f pruces and firs. The wood is firm, light, very strong, elastio and durable. It is used for many purposes, the most important of which is ship building. Ships have been made of this timber throughout, and upon trial have been found as strong as if made from the oaks and other hard woods. "6oIt Wood Ships," As they are called on account of tbe lightness of their materials, sink less into the water under a given weight of cargo, than do those made of tne Heavier woods. Masts and spars of this timber after bending under heavy winds for days or weeks, as soon as released irom tbe strain straighten up again as before. There are many other soft wood trees of this region which are now somewhat used, and which no doubt could be utilized if we knew more as to their strength, durability and other qualities. Among these are several pines, yel low pine, P. ponderosa; nut pine, P. sablniana; Monterey pine, P. insignia. Several additional ones belong to the genus Abies the spruoes and firs might be added to the list as also the giant arbor vitml of Oregon, Thuja, the west ern larch, larix; western red cedar, Juniperus; California white cedar, Libocedrus; and some others. Of other soft wood trees than the con ifers, California has none worth mentioning, and with the exception of the tulip tree, Zirio dendron, of the Eastern United States, none of them are greatly to be desired. With so many valuable soft woods at her command, California has but little need of more, and yet it cannot be denied that No Tree on ihls Coast Furnishes a timber which can exactly replace the wood of the tulip tree, the whitewood or yellow poplar of the Atlantio States. Among the hard wood trees the oaks occupy the same relative position as do the pines among the soft wooded ones. British oak, Quercus sesslliflora and Q. pedun culata, is known wherever British ships have gone. This tough, heavy, durable wood has always been a fayorite with British ship build ers, and the superiority of the British navy, no doubt, is largely due to the fact that these oaks have always been easily obtained. So import ant have they been considered, that long ago great plantations of them were made and care fully guarded. Hundreds of the British vessels now floating were made from the oaks which grew from the acorns which Careful, Thoughtful Hands Planted, Perhaps two centuries ago. The live oak, Quercus virens, of the Southern Atlantio States, is for American shipping what British oak is for England. Unfortunately for us, as a native it grows somewhat south of the points where the most of our ships are built, and so it has never been used as much as it might have been, had it been a native of the whole country. California cannot as yet boast of an oak equal to either of the foregoing, pos sibly because we hardly yet know anything about the native species. Our common evergreen oak, Quercus agrifolia, bo common in and about Oakland, thus far has been considered useless as a timber tree. Pos sibly by proper preparation it may yet be turned to some use. Tan-bark oak, Quercus densiflora, growing in Central California, is now coming into use for tbe manufacture of wagons and agricultural implements. Under proper preparation it be comes hard, tough and durable. Canon oak, Quercus chrysolepis, found in the ravines and canons of the mountain ranges, is tough and durable, and is said to be of value in ship building. It has, however, been but lit tle used. The walnut of Europe, Juglans regla, is a Iree of considerable value in the countries where it grows. In the United States, west ward to the Missonri river, it is replaced by the black walnut, Juglans nigra, a tree of a thick, heavv growth, producing a valuable dark colored wood, much used for furniture and inside work in houses. Its near relation, the butternut or white walnut, J. eintrta, is a smaller tree, S reducing a lighter colored wood, valuable for le same purposes as the former. In California a species nearly allied to the black walnut is found rather sparingly. Its wood is valuable, and is used to some extent as a substitute for the former species. It would be well to Plant Frosty, Not only of the native species, bat also of tbe European, which makes a rapid growth here, and of the black walnut, which, though not rapid grower, can be made to do well. The hickory is one of the finest of the trees of the Northern United Slates. In its bearing It is not very unlike the pines; its straight stem is surmounted by a more or lea conical top, often at a very great hight from the ground. IU wood ia white, hard, heavy and tough, and when properly protected quite durable. Aa it is subject to the attacks of certain Wood Eattsi latest, It ia not amah lead ia Urge or heavy piiose.iU greatest value being found when employed in sticks or pieces but little more than an inch in diameter. For axles and spokes of wagons and carriages, for handles for topis, and for the smaller parts of agricultural 'implements it is valuable. California has no native hickorv. hence it is found to be quite difficult to grow it here. Possibly in the foot hills it might be grown. It is an experiment worth trying, to make a plantation of hickories in some of the eastern counties, for the State has no wood whatever which can exactly replace it. The elms are found in great abundance throughout most of the States east of the great plains. Some of the species are quite valuable, though tbe liability to warp is a serious objec tion. Europe has a fine elm, the Eastern States have two valuable ones, but California has none. Some of the elms are found to grow quite well in some localities in this State, and no doubt could be grown in sufficient quantities to meet all the demands for elm lumber. The Ash. Here again we find, first a species in Europe, which is replaced in the Eastern States by the American white ash, a tall, majestio tree, pro ducing a white, light, tough uud durable tim ber. On account of theBO desirable qualities it is largely used in the manufacture of agri cultural implements. For very many purposes it is preferable to hickory; as it is not so heavy while it is very nearly as strong, and possesses, besides, the additional advantage that it is made free from the work of the powder posting insects. In Western California and in Oregon a small sized ash occurs in sufficient abundance to be used in manufacturing somewhat. The Maples, of which there are many species, are divided into two groups the hard maples, and the Boft maples, referring to the character of the wood. The hard maple, or as it is also known as the sugar maple, of the Eastern States, occurs as far west as the Missouri river. In favorable localities it becomes n large tree, one hundred feet in hight, with a diameter of from two to three or more feet. When dry itB wood is bard, and capable of receiving a nigh polish. The soft maples, of which there are several Eastern species, have a much softer and less durable wood. It is, when kept dry, valuable for furniture, and is largely used for that purpose. In Northern California and Oregon a maple occurs which may be considered as the western representative of the soft maple of the East. It is used considerably. There are three timber trees peculiar to Cali fornia which are well worth mentioning; they are the California Laurel, the Madrona and the Man zanita. The California laurel (Oreodaphue Californica) is peculiar to this slope of the continent. Its wood is valuable, and no doubt when we have learned more fully how to use it, it will be ot more value still. The Madrono, furnishes a hard, heavy, light colored wood, which is, or can be made to be quite valuable. The Man zanita grows usually as a shrub from whloh it is difficult to get large pleoes ot tlmoer. ucca sionally, however, it is of sufficient size so that good blocks several feet long and from four to six inches thick mav be secured. This wood is very beautiful, much resembling mahogany, but being much heavier and harder. It can be made into many small artioles of use and orna ment and no doubt by proper care and culture it might be grown into a much larger tree. Among the important woods of this coast not belonging to California, are those recently brought into use from Mexico. The most im portant one is what is known as Prima vera or white mahogany, a white wood resembling in many of its characters the hiokory of the East. It is used extensively in the manufacture of fine furniture, and also for itreet cars, as well as for many other purposes. Summing up the whole matter we find that California is better supplied with coniferous soft woods than perhaps any other country on tbe globe, having no less than twelve which are more or less valuable. It has, however, but few soft woods aside from the conifers which are of any value. It is decidedly wanting in valuable hard wood trees. In order that the native woods of this coast may be of greatest use there is great need of Thorough and Exhaustive Tests, As to their strength, their durability and their working qualities. There is no doubt in my mind but that when they aro known we shall find that many of the trees which we now pass by as valueless are in reality very useful. I am glad to be able to announce that such tests as those of which I have spoken will be made this year at the university. Only a few days ago the arrangements were completed for beginning tbe work. In this work I trust you are all interested, and I further trust that yon will give it a hearty support as a worthy work of a great and growing university. I have thus thrown hastily together a few of the facts connected with jhis subject in order to call your attention to""tbo sources of our timber supply tbe kinds of woods we have, those we lack, and the need of a further devel opment, so to speak, of our own woods. Trusting that the matter presented bas not been altogether devoid of interest, that it may receive further thought from you, that you may help to develop this portion of California's resources, thereby adding to its wealth and its material prosperity, thanking you for your at tention and patience, I bid you good night. Sheep Gnawing Their Wool. It is safe to suppose, when herbivorous ani mals of any kind are found eating bones, etc, that their systems require something not sup plied by their usual food. When sheep gnaw their wool, it indicates that they are suffering from the attacks of parasitic insects, some of whom are so small that they cannot be seen except by the aid of a magnifying glass; or that their systems are not properly supplied with material for forming the natural covering to tbe body. In tbe West, where tbe soil is new, the nat ural supposition would be that the food would contain the elements necessary to the support of all portions of the animal economy; and such is the fact, except in exceptional cases' We believe that in thoso cases when sheep eat their wool, when the gnawing is not done to rid themselves of the intolerable itching occa sioned by parasites, it is more often indicative of a morbid appetite due to disease, or an ac quired habit, than from any disorganization of the system occasioned by tbe want of bone or hair-forming material, etc. lost, for instance, as fowls acquire the habit of eating their own ?s ana sneus or reamers, n any case, the sheen should be carefully examined first for parasites, and if found, the proper wash should be used for their eradica tion. In addition, a very little sulphur may be given with good effect in their daily food. If these be not found, it will be safe to con clude that the animals require bone or hair forming material more than U already sup plied. In this case there will be found noth ing better than bone-raw meal finely ground and mixed with their food. In addition, nitro genous food, as roots, oata, barley, etc., can be given. If Indian com be largely fed, especially in connection with straw, then there will be strong additional reason for following tbe course here laid down. JkcAowy. Qood HBALTt Pathological What we Breathe. Very suggestive experiments have been made by Mr. Blackly, in connection with his re searches npon the "bay fever," with a view of determining the extent to which pollen of various plants is diffused throughout the at mosphere. His first series of inquiries was instituted in a meadow at tne average bream ing level of four feet nine inches from the ground, beginning in April and continuing until the end of July. A slip of class ws ex posed borizontilly, coated with a thin layer of non-drying liquid. Tbe results were tabulated daily, and the highest number of pollen grains obtained on a square centimeter in twenty-four hours was 880, June 28. Sudden diminutions in the quantity of pollen when these occurred in the ascending scale, between May 28 and June 28 were invariably due to a fall of rain, or to this and a fall in the temperature. Mr. Blackly also examined the amount of pollen to be found in tbe highest strata of the atmos phere. This was done by means of a kite, which, by being attached to other kites, some times attained an elevation of l.OOi) feet. The pollen was found to be much more largely present at the upper levels than at the "breath ing level." Taking the average of the quanti ties where pollen was present at both levels, he found that while the average ot the ordinary level was 21 only, for each experiment, that for tne metier levels was irz.JJ. or more tnan nineteen times as much. After making due allowance for the difference in the velocity of tne air at various altitudes tnere still remains a great preponderance unaccounted for in the amount of pollen in the upper strata. Mr. Blackly remarks that his experiments also afforded abundant proof of the presence of fungoid spores in the air in large quantities. In one experiment, which lasted four hours, and in which tbe number of pollen grains col lected at an altitude of 1,000 feet was 1,200, tbe spores of a cryptogram (probably Ustilago segetum) were so numerous that he could not count them. At a rough estimate they could not be lesB than thirty to forty thousand to the square inch. A fact like this makes the ubiqui'y of fungoid organisms a thing easy to camprenena. Worth Knowing, if True. Among the many sanitary virtues which have been ascribed to the eucalyptus or Australian gum tree, we have now the assertion that it is especially valuable for rheumatism, a disease which has heretofore baffled medical science. Instances are given in proof of tbe assertion, and among others the two following by the Petaluma Argus. It appears a gentleman named John Quinlan had tried most of the approved remedies to mitigate the pain of this affliction, without avail. He visited the West India is lands and many other regions for relief, but did not oDiain it. (Joining to jf etaluma, one of our hotel keepers, with whom Mr. Quinlan was acquainted, noticed among his guests a man who had his arms and legs bound up with leaves. Upon questioning the party he learned that he was afflicted with rheumatism, and that he had bound tbe diseased ports with the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, from which ho had experienced great relief and apparently al most a permanent cure in a few davs. This in telligence was communicated to Mr. Quinlan, who immediately tried tbe experiment, with the most gratifying results. He procured a quantity of rank green eucalyptus leaves and heating each one Blightly, bound them upon the ports in which he felt the most pain. The effect was marvellous; the pain ceased in a short time, and in a little while tbe long suffer ing patient felt like a new man. He continued to apply the leaves and to wear them while walking about the streets, and at the end of two weeks felt entirely well. He says no amount of money would purchase from him the power of applying this remedy, should he be attacked again. The Call, of this city, a few days after pub lishing the above, gave its readers the following additional confirmation: Since our article of Tuesday, attesting to the virtues of eucalyptus leaves in the cure of rheumatism several per sons have since called at our office among the number a clergyman to corroborate the state ment. They report that they have seen tbe leaves applied to the affeoted parts of several sufferers from this painful disease, in each of which the relief afforded was almost immediate, with the prospect of being permanent. This remedy has the merit of being inexpen sive. Persons affiioted with tbe rheumatism may give it a trial. If it will do for others what Mr. Quinlan says it has done for him, a discovery is made for which tens of thousands of Buffering people will feel thankful. Pacific Rural Press, Delicate People. There, is a constant sympathy expressed by robust people for those of Blight physloal con stitutions, We think the sympathy ought to turn in the opposite direction. It U tbe deli cate people who escape the most fearful disor ders, and in three cases out of four live the longest. Those of gigantio structure are almost always reckless of health. They say, ' "Nothing hurts me," and so they stand in drafts, and go into the night air to cool off, and eat crabs at midnight, and doff their flannels in April, and get their feet wet. But delicate people are shy of peril. They know that disease has been fishing for them for twenty years, and tbey keep away from the hook. No trout can be caught If he sees the shadow of the sportsman on the brook. These people whom everybody expects to die, live on most tenaciously. We know of a young lady who evidently married a wealthy man of eighty five years on the gtound that be was very del icate, and with reference to her one-third. But the aged invalid is so careful of bis health, and the young wife so careless of hers, that it is now uncertain whether she will inherit his storehouses, or be will inherit her wedding rings. Health and longevity depend more npon caution and intelligent management ot one's self than upon original physical outfit. Exchange. A Heavt Dose or Mcbcubt A few days ago, says the Gilroy Advocate, of April 3, Mrs. Anna Bubb's little boy drank a pound of quicksilver. Tbe child is less than three years old, and even in California is considered ratberyoung to in dulge in so strong a beverage. He found the mercury bottle in some rubbish in an old trunk, while playing, and drank tbe whole, leaving but a few drops. The physician was sent for, who administered some light remedy. The child gave no other indication of having taken the mercury than drowsiness. The metal did not all leave the stomach for ten days, but be was about all tbe time, and is now bright as ever. A Doo with Taa Mkulm. A bouse dog in Upton, Mass., bad the measles simultaneously with tbe children of tbe family, from whom he caught the disease. He waa carefully doctored, and waa getting along finely, when one day be slipped out of doors and played in a snow bank. Tots indiscretion waa fatal. Ho took cold and died. UsipdL .(ifOrltUtTION. The White Streak in Silk An Interest ing Discovery. For a number of years the silk manufacturers of this country have beeu troubled by the ap pearance of what is commonly called a "white streak" in dyed silk. This name describes the appearance about as well as nny other term we can apply, and has been adopted for lack of any more positive information respecting it. It makes its appearance principally on black silk after it has been wound on the spools ready for use on the sewing machines. It is not, however, confined to black machine twist, but is visible in many ot the other dark colors. It has the appearauce of a slight roughness or fuzz on the side of the thread as it lies on tbe spool. It is invariably white and easily re cognized, especially when it occurs in the black silk. The combined talents of the silk manufacturers and dyers in this country have been employed during tbe last few years to dis cover some method of overcoming the white streak, either by varying the process of manu facture or by covering it in the dye. As yet all efforts have filled to be completely success ful. Various theories have been proposed to account for it appearance; much time and money have been Bpent in the study of the- question, without arriving at any certain knowledge concerning it. Some manufacturers believe that it is due to carelessness during tbe process of dying; that iio hub is uui luurougniy wasoea iroin mo soap suds in which it is boiled, leaving particles of soap adhering to the silk. Others stoutly affirm that It is due to the dead wood whioh the silk takes on as it patses over tbe wooden rollers of a machine known as the stretcher. The Nonotuok silk company's present theory is that the streak is due in some way to the process of adulteration to which the silk is sub jected as it is wound on to the reel from the cocoon. They think it possible that the co coons when wound may be soakfd in warm . water to which a quantity of rice Btaroh has been added, thus making a kind of rice water or thin paste, which the silk takes up as it is wound, thus adding a cheap weighting mate rial to the silk. That this theory does not account for the ap pearance of the streak is evident, since some of our brands of silk, we are confident, are per fectly free from any adulteration, but yet the streak occurs abundantly in them. A careful examination with the microscope and chem ical reageuts, for the purpose of obtaining some definite idea of itB nature, soon settled the fact that it is a vegetable substance of some kind; but exactly of what nature, I was unable at once to determine. This slight oluo enabled our dyer to apply a dye that would partly cover it. This new process of dying, however, was attended with many objections. It whb more expensive, while it took a much longer time to dye the silk. Our neatest ob jection to this method of dying was that it in creased the weiuht of the silk with the dye stuff, thus injuring its quality and affeoting its strength. We oould ill afford to sacrifice the strength of the silk for the sake of covering tne streaK, bo we sougnt to avoid tne dimcuity by using another brand of silk, I finally be came convinced by careful examination that it was of the nature of a parasite, or a fungus growth on the raw silk. All of my researches tended to confirm this theory. I have lately submitted samples of the streak, which were found both in the raw filk and in tbe dyed Bilk, to Professors Verrill. Eaton and Johnson, of Yale College, New Haven, who all oonfirmed the theory of its being a fungus growth on the silk. An eminent naturalist of Boston, whom I consulted on the subject, also confirms the theory, and thinks that we may find that this growth is connocted with the dis ease with which the silk worms of Europe have been troubled for so long a time, O. A. Hurt, Oneida Circular, Important Researches on Explosive Sub stances. Recent experiments have shown that two dif ferent kinds of explosion can be produced In all explosive substances, The firtt is deflagra tion, tbe second is detonation. The deflagration of dynamite (giant powder) is quite harmless; wbite its detonation, as producd by fulminate of mercury, develops an explosive force four or five times that of ordinary gunpowder. Gun- Sowder is no exception to this rule. When its eflagrating power, (ordinary disoharge by a fuse) is represent! d by 1, its detonating power, wh n properly fired by fulminate of mercury, is 4.34. ' Roux and Sarrau have recently been making some careful experiments in this direction, which ore reported in Comples Iiendus as fol lows: Tbe reciprocal of the weight (due cor rections made) of esoh substance, which when exploded in ono and the other maimer sufficed to rend similar cast iron shells, gave tho rela tive explocivo forces. Some results of the ox perimi ntB iiro given in the following table, the explosive force of gunpowder ignited iu the or dinary manner being t.iken for unity: N1MK or IUIJ8TANCI. EXFLOalVK FOBOK, 8ud Order, 1st Order, Mercury fulminate 0.38 Gunpowder 1,00 4 34 Nitro-ulycerlue 4 80 10 U Oun Cotton 3.1X1 O.lti PIcrioAcld 304 060 Potaulum plcrate L8J s.ul liarium plcrate. 1.71 6 50 Btrontluru plcrate 1.35 4 SI Lead plcrate 1.65 est Of tbe highest practical importance Is the discovery of tho detonative explosion of gun powder induced by the detonation of nitro glycerine (itself set off by the fulminate of mercury) : for the force of the explosion is more that fourfold greater than that obtained by igniting gunpowder in tbe ordinary manner. (The increased force of gunpowder and gua cotton, when exploded by tbe agency of deton ation, was folly demonstrated by Abel six years ago), Tbe authors observe that the mass of tbe substance employed for exciting deton ation must usually bear a certain proportion to that of the substance to be exploded, bat in some cases the aotion is propagated throughout the latter when onoe up at any given point. Goon Pre Cbubt. Many persons have diffi culty in making pie crust, often finding it heavy and dark. A lady writer in tbe Vermont Journal gives directions how to avoid this: To one quart of flour thoroughly mix one small teaspoonful cream tartar, one teacup of lard, (less will do,) lightly rubbed in the flour, one teaspoon salt, half teaspoon soda dissolved in very cold water, Mli lightly with a knife, pouring in a little of the water at a time. Do not wet all tho flour, and do not knead it. If you want the top crust to resemble puff pie crust, roll out some of your dough and spread on lard, sprinkle on flour, then roll up. Now, do not do as I used to, cut off a piece and tarn tbe edges up and roll out. I have learned a better way. Boll with your rollina nlu a piece large enough for your lop orust, just as it lie rolled up on your board. Wet the bottom crust around tho edge with cold water before putting on the top crust. Do not pinch the edges of the top crust down. Cut or prick, to let the air out while cooking. Bake In a qulok oven and yea will have a sue lookiag pie.