TO PREVENT DECAY IN TREES.
When old chesnut or other trees are rotted within the trunk, and threaten with speedy destruction by the progress of the carious taint, it may be stopped by applying fire to the decayed part, so as to char the whole of the neighbouring surfaces. By this management the life of a favourite tree may often be preserved.
[Chaptal's Chemistry.
ON PLASTER.
I have just received my plaster from the mill. I remarked to the man who brought it, that it was too coarse. He replied that all our farmers preferred it coarse, and assigned this reason—that in grinding it fine, it becomes so heated as to injure it. I delay not a moment in expostulating against a doctrine so unphilosophical, and so injurious to the interests of agriculture. Every farmer knows that grain, as food for animals cannot be made too fine. Upon the same principle, plaster, which is food for vegetables, affords the most nutriment when reduced to the finest powder. Heat so far from injuring the properties of plaster, is the best agent for bringing them into action. This theory is the result of repeated experiment. Calcined plaster, which is produced by a process of intense heat, is found much more invigorating, and more permanently beneficial, than plaster in its simple state.
While on this subject, I will suggest for consideration, whether our farmers, generally spread a sufficient quantity of plaster particularly on their grass land. Mr. Silas Gates, a well known farmer in Marlborough, informed me, that he directed one of his men to spread on a certain piece of mowing land, the usual quantity, (if I mistake not, at the rate of one bushel to the acre.) He had gone over about half the ground, at this rate, when other calls prevented his finishing it. Soon after the business of plastering was consigned to another, who, not knowing that any had been spread, went over the ground, giving one half a double portion.—The result was nearly a double portion of hay, which continued until the surface was changed by a rotation of crops.
Your obed't, O FISKE.
Worcester, April 17, 1820.
[Mass. Spy.