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-Exhibited at the Maryland cattle show 114. SYLVANUS, on curing and preserving meat 352.

T.

TABLES; showing the increase of population for every ten years, from 1790 to 1820, in every 100,000 persons 19; of English words derived from other languages 86; of calculations, showing the rate at which cotton should be purchased in America to be landed in Liverpool at a given price 86; exhibiting U. S. treasury receipts from 1802 to 1821, 101; members of the 17th congress, their professions, and where born 103; of a trial of ploughs,showing the superiority of McCormick's, of Fauquier county, Virg. over several others 119; plan for the management of an arable farm, rotations nine and five years 132; of the amount of tolls received, number of boats and amount of tonnage employed, produce and merchandise, &c. transported on the Potomac canal from 1806 to 1821, 140; of the weights of live stock, ascer tained by admeasurement 185; decrease in value of agricultural products in England from 1814 to 1821, 205.

TAMARIND Tree, the, yields an essential salt, the fruit is laxative, wholesome, and makes an excellent preserve 257.

TANNING; the value and use of the oak in 117; a new discovery in 288. TARES; on the cultivation of 45; strictly perennial

53; preserved for seed often pay as well as a wheat crop...their culture not applicable to light soils.. the winter best...to distinguish from the spring 38, 45...answer well sowed after wheat stubble or early potatoes...time of sowing to preserve a succession of green food...mangle wurtzle or ruta baga may follow...spring may follow

the winter on land intended for wheat...several species of 53; none superior to the real winter; notice of several kinds of 54. TARIFF; our existing defective...bears heavily and unjustly on the poorer classes of society.. manufacturers less protected than agriculturists-..illustrated by a comparative exhibit of duties 43; the prohibitory duties on coarse cottons have proved highly salutary....the practice of England and France referred to, showing the soundness of a restrictive system...the national industry of Holland paralyzed by the encouragement given to foreign rivals...the United States in a prosperous condition at the close of the late war...enormous importations brought ruin in their train...not confined to manufactures, commerce too felt the desolating effect...protection of manufacturing industry, equal to that bestowed on commerce and agriculture, indispensable to guard against periodical returns of national distress 44; a complete revision of recommended 50. TAXIDERMY; the art of collecting, preparing, &c. objects of natural history 171.

TEA; its fragrance, not bitterness, cheering; method of making to secure the volatile parts 160. -Plant; ineffectual attempts to cultivate 327. TEAZLES, a curious vegetable production, indispen

sable to woollen manufacturers...to cultivate 413. TEETH, to cleanse, &c. 55.

TEXAS, vegetable and animal productions of the province of 375.

T. G****** enquires respecting a disease in wheat... whether it is caused by the fly 380. THORNTON, Philip, sends to the editor specimens

in blades of wheat of a singular deposit of the eggs of the fly 183; this discovery thought not to be a new one 394. THORP, Wm. on feeding sheep with roots...daily consumption of food 37; receipt for the cure of red-water in sheep and cattle 46; on feeding sheep with mangle wurtzle 60. THRESHING Machines invented in Maine 152; enquiries respecting 263, 327: certificate in favor of Ballows' 263; Mr. Pope's new invented 253; re

ported favorably of by the Philadelphia agricul- TURNPIKE ROADS; expenditures on and income tural society 387. from in Great Britain 31. TIMBER, to render incombustible 391.

Trees; their progressive growth.....estimate of century increase....large ones in England 61; season for cutting 61; the oak reverenced and estimated by the ancients...superstitions respecting 105; remarkable ones in England...the uses of its wood....susceptible of cunning workmanship for furniture 106; uses of wood and bark.... medicinal virtue...prescriptions 118; effects of the roots of on vegetables 298. TOASTS, drank at the Brighton (Mass.) cattle show 254; at the Fredericksburg, (Virg.) 290. TOBACCO; very superior sold in our market 47, 56, 88, 152, 416; Maryland yellow would not pass inspections in South Carolina 119; the least liable American product to be depressed by foreign competition 156; good quality of raised by a young planter 184; successfully raised in Pennsylvania from Cuba seed 191; prices of Maryland yellow in Europe; none other worth raising 240; to produce fine yellow on old ground 303. -Raised in Upper Canada 379.

-Law, regulating the inspections of 349.
-Official reports of inspections of 360, 367, 376,
384, 400.

-Beds; advantage to be derived from rough hot...

how constructed 56.

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TRAVELLERS, American, interested in the agricultural prosperity of their country...useful instructions to, respecting the procurement and preser. vation of foreign seeds and plants 171. TRAVELLING; low price of on the western canal 228.

TRENCHING; method of, preparatory to gardening 298.

TURF; the amusements of the, should be encouraged to produce a good breed of horses 98, 359; not so....improvement in breeds of retarded by racing...the English race-horse described, presents no point of usefulness 390; deterioration of the Virginia horse traced to the racing mania 391. The best races known in England between the years 1769 and '89...the number of race-horses and covering stallions in England from 1779 to TURF; the invention of transplanting claimed by George Whitworth 150. TURNIPS; the revolving harrow useful in the culti

1819, 98.

vation of, the yellow superior in many respects to the Swedish 38; on sowing early for soiling; Mr. Curwen's experiment, and advantage derived from 45; meliorate the soil 52; ruta baga the best 51; on ploughing for manure 85; the heavy roller applied to drills, an improvement in the cultivation of 134; produce of an acre of 148; very recently used as cattle food 227; light soils thought the best for; for table the later grown the better; always grown as a second crop with success 276; directions for the proper cultivation of 128.

TURNIP Seed should be sowed on moist dung, to secure early and regular vegetation 134; quicken the growth of and guard against the assailments of the fly 134.

Aberdeen, advertised by Mr. Redding 152.
-fly; flame and smoke recommended to destroy
109, 1:1; method of applying 134; methods
enumerated to prevent and destroy 133, 134,
135, 142, 149; if sown in ridges, quick-lime sug-
gested 141.

U...

UNDER DRAINING; controversial advantages of the best method; reasoning in defence of 150, 151.

UNIVERSITY of Maryland; notice of and of its pro-, fessors 239. URINE, human, is a cure for almost every distemper. of bees; nothing so good to induce a swarm ta remain in a hive 19; a remedy also for botts o grubs in horses 100.

V.

VACCINATION; report on from the British Na. tional Institution; a certain preventive to the small-pox, so far as it relates to secondary fever which commonly carries off its victim; causes of occasional failures; in a large proportion o cases an entire security; diminution of death by small-pox 75; since it has become general we seldom hear of the eruptive disorders chicken-pox, &c.; vaccine virus a modification of small-pox poison 398.

VALK, Francis, in noticing Isaac Briggs' remarks (see page 19) recommends to him a more en larged view of the subject of manufactures, a connected with agriculture and commerce; agri culture our principal concern, but foreign mar kets for bread stuffs diminishing, it behoves u to effect their consumption by encouraging ma nufactures at home 62; the secret of Englis prosperity is to be found in her exporting all he products in the shape of manufactured good 62; his theory and views examined by Anti-M nopolist 111; is referred to the pages of th American Farmer for replies to his argument. and tests of the truths of his oracle, Mr. Cary 112.

VAN RANSAELLEAR, General, complimented b the editor for his munificence in the cause general improvement 248, 299; proffers a pa tern farm to the state of New York, on cond tion that it be cultivated 366. VARNISH; a permanent, for iron or steel, obtaine by rubbing, when hot, with the horny hoofs cattle 320. VEGETABLES; method of keeping 12; soap-suc good to secure against insects and flies 100; pe petuate themselves by seed in the climates whe they originate 169; mammoth 184.

-foreign; the seeds of, &c. how to preserve an VEGETABLE alkalIS will render wood, linen propagate 171.

VEGETABLE MATTER; query, in what state be. cottons and muslins, incombustible, 391. to be ploughed into land; eminent writers < agriculture appear to differ; their opinions r concileable by reference to the temperature soils 318. VEGETATION is governed by an internal principl and not by the attraction of bodies towards whic it takes a direction 198; newtheory of---resolve into an inseparable connexion with animal li 406, 411. VERMIN in poultry, how to destroy 375; tar a r

medy for in hogs 383; in mules, cattle, horse and sheep, to destroy 383, 407, 412. VERRO, on the cultivation of tares 45. VETERINARY SCIENCE has accompanied the a

vance of civilization; schools may be establis ed, but to disseminate this knowledge in o country, provision must be made for oral instru tion; Dr. Rush suggests the attachment of professorship of, connected with rural econom to the University of Philadelphia 246, VINES, interesting account of grape 201; expe ment to ascertain the best seed in the fruit 270.

-New method of preserving from bugs 374.

1

W.

W. A******* on hydrophobia 15.
WATER CEMENT is made of lime united with a

species of volcanic sand imported from Italy;
expensive; substitutes suggested 3.
WALNUT, the, is a native of Persia; has valuable
medicinal properties; makes a fine preserve,
and is valuable for its wood 258.
WARDROPE, James, Esq. Surgeon Extraordinary
to his Majesty George IV. publishes a work on
the diseases of the horse's eye; approbated by the
editor of the (English) Farmer's Journal, who
promises extracts 110: extract 133: simple inflam-
mation: treatment 149: puriform ditto 150; spe-
cific inflammation internal, and commonly results
in blindness: treatment of 159, 160.
WASHINGTON, General George, contemplated a
plan of engrafting the subject of agriculture
into a national system of education 147.
-happy allusion to, by Nicholas Biddle, Esq. 70.
WATER, when boiling, has attained its highest sus-

ceptible heat 81; is not a simple element, and when decomposed by boiling, adds nutrition to vegetable food 82.

WATERING of Plants; the utility of questionable 339.

WATSON, Elkanah, on the establishment of agricul

tural schools 366.

W. B. gives the preference to a wooden wick for candles 10.

WEAVILS; the habits of and method of guarding against 293, 367.

WELLS, Mrs. Sophia, is to be the superintendent of a grass bonnet manufactory in Weathersfield, Connecticut 96.

-John, Esq.'s experiment to ascertain the evaporation of certain grasses 397. WHEAT should be a staple of Virginia--the best

method of cultivating 42-sowed in corn land considered a saving by three-shift farmers 49sedged or stunted occasioned by a worm at the root 70, 71-the remedy a change of seed, oyster-shells and lime 70, 71-the red chaffed bearded most liable to; the insect which causes it the same as that known by the name of the rootlouse in corn, if not generated increased by clover, most apparent where a crop of follows any considerable vegetable growth 71-light crops of anticipated in Washington, Frederick and Montgomery counties 80-on sowing alternately with beans 94-if mice annoy how to destroy? 101-the best fallow preparations for 108-crops of in Roanoke, Virg. suffering from rust 119 practice on corn land previous to sowing 143-on the fly in, deposit of eggs different from any former mentioned manner, Professor Green's notion respecting 183-experiment with salt recommended to guard against smut in 196--a double yield produced from early sowing after a

summer fallow even if that sown late escapes the smut 220-enquiries respecting a singular kind of 264--early sowing best to guard against all calamities, experiments and results 269-enquiries respecting smut in 296-on fallowing for 332, 324. From the straw of which the Leghorn bonnets are made, received by the editor 302. -Diseases of, experiment to ascertain the liability of to, comparative produce, quality and value of varieties, the Hungarian best sustained the trial 134-smut in supposed to proceed from too late sowing and the use of bad seed, prevented by the use of sulphat of copper, to apply 220appears to be a fungus the origin and nature probably will never be discovered, all experiments show that brining, steeping and cleansing are useful in preventing, philosophical reasoning as to the cause of unsatisfactory 311-a new fly discovered that has three broods in the season 394--that affecting the wheat near York, Pennsylvania described 380.

Seed, experiments on with steeps 255--very superior raised by Tench Tilghman, Esq. 284-prepared with whale oil productive of the best effects 320-change of a remedy for sedged 70. WHEELER, Col. of Salina, N. Y. manufactures salt

by slow evaporation, the process described 184.
WHEELS, cylindrical or conical which are best for a
curved road? the subject discussed 101, 126,
150, 228.

English turnpike provisions respecting 127.
WHEEL Carriages, improvements in described, an
English patent 215.

WHITE LUPIN, the, produces astonishing effects
ploughed in as a manure in the island of Fayal,
will grow between harvest and seed time, recom-
mended to be tried in Maryland in corresponding
latitudes 107, 108--thought not to be applicable
to eastern soils 108--a substitute for might be
found in rye 108.

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WHITWORTH George, claims the invention of the
plan of transplanting turf 150.
WHITNEY, Ely's new invented cotton gin described

380.

WHORTLEBERRY, great varieties of this berry
grow in most parts of Great Britain, never culti-
vated though the plant is handsomer than some
others requiring much pains 258.

scoop for procuring manure from ponds, rivers &c. his crop of sweet potatoes, their value and use 87, 88.

WINES, domestic, properly made require no brandy; to bottle and preserve 327, 343--excellent made from currants, method of making 107, 277--the elder berry yields a wholesome 188-receipt for making green grape 228--for quince do. 249: the editor promises to republish a little work on the fabrication of 256: the scuppernong N.C. grape affords an excellent 295.

-American, was sent to his majesty George III. in 1775, some enquiries suggested to persons living on the Mississippi respecting where manufactur ed? 157.

-Manufactured by John Adlum, District of Colum bia 112. WOAD has been used for two thousand years as a blue dye...cultivated successfully by the French to extract indigo from...soil proper for its culture 142; its use in dying might probably be superceded in this country by the wild indigo 198; successfully cultivated in Ohio...no good blue, black, green or purple colour can be produced without it...doubted that the wild indigo will an swer as a substitute for...profitable to cultivate 248; any plant containing an equal quantity of succulent juices and colouring matter, will answer...authorities in favour of the wild indigo plant as a substitute 284.

-Vat, how compounded...with skill may be kept in
operation for a long time 142.

WOLCOTT, Gov. of Connecticut, corresponds with
S. W. Pomroy, Esq. on the preparation of flax

213.

WOOL; the domestic supply of, not equal to the domestic demand for....dearer here than in any of the wool-growing countries 69; advice to farmers on the management and cleansing of...preference to Spanish given, because it is clean and yields no waste 74; should be cleansed before it is shorn 96; how to cull and sort 95; best method of putting up the fleece 118; demand for fine steady, and exceeds the supply 157. -Spinners'; enquiries respecting certain 407. -Annual reports of, produced per head of sheep, would lead to a comparison of the value of breeds and consequent improvement 373. WORTH, James, on diseases in wheat...discovers that it is assailed by a fly which produces three broods in a season! 394; addresses the agricultural suciety of Buck's county, Pennsylvania, on insects... enumerates, describes and suggests methods of destroying 394. WORTHINGTON, governor's plan of an orangery in Florida...profit that would result from an 174. W. P. on the woad plant and woad vats 142. WILLOW, this tree is a corrector and absorber of W. P. T. on the cultivation of the tare 53, 54.

WIFE, the, of a Missouri farmer, enumerates the va-
rious ways of preparing and employing Indian

corn 55.

WILD GARLIC, can it be successfully cultivated?

376.

WILLIS J. suggests an excellent wash for fruit trees
39--cherries received by the editor from 104
fruit also exhibited in Peale's museum and very
much admired 184.

bad air 183.

WILSON George, describes an economical mud

WRIGHT, Thomas, on sowing wheat and beans alternately 94.

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RURAL ECONOMY, INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, PRICE CURRENT. “O fortunatos nimium sua si bona norint Agricolas."

VIRG.

BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1822.

Vol. IV.

AGRICULTURE.

REMARKS

No. 1.

Jand the hardening of mortar, I may be permitted properties are impaired, in proportion to the quanto explain the PRINCIPLES on which these changes tity of this principle absorbed. Hence, in keeping are produced. lime, and in the several operations attending the On the preparation of Mortar, by D. Olmsted, Limestone, before it is burnt, is a compound of manufacture of mortar, we ought to use all possiProfessor of Chemistry and Mineralogy in the quicklime and fixed air, or what is called by chem-ble means to prevent its combining with fixed air. University of N. Carolina; addressed to the Agri-ists carbonic acid. Some, who have never turned Some of these means, will be noticed as we proceed. cultural Society of North-Carolina.-Read in their attention to subjects of this kind, may find it In Great-Britain, it is deemed a point of so much the Society, and ordered to be printed, Dec. 4, 1821. difficult to conceive, how a species of air can make importance to have the lime, when it is used, perPresuming that the objects of this Society are a constituent part of a body so solid as limestone. fectly free from carbonic acid, or fixed air, that in sufficiently comprehensive to embrace all subjects This difficulty will vanish, when they reflect, that the structure of the public works, at Woolwich, it appertaining to Rural Economy, I take the liberty air consists of solid particles in a very minute state is taken hot from the kiln, and used immediately to offer a few remarks on the preparation of Lime-of division; that when it goes into union with a afterwards. But after the mortar is made up, and Mortar, for building. I have been led to make solid substance, as quicklime, those particles that applied to the purposes for which it was intended, choice of this subject, from the belief, that the de- were before separated in the form of air, are then we no longer wish to prevent the lime from fective and perishable modes of building, common brought, by the force of attraction, so near to each absorbing fixed air; for by this means, and by conin many parts of our country, are owing, in no other, as to be reduced into a comparatively small solidating a portion of water, it returns from the small degree, to the imperfections of the mortar space. On the application of heat, these particles state of quicklime to that of limestone, and resumes employed. The correctness of most of the remarks are expanded again to their former dimensions, the hardness it originally possessed while in the that will be offered on the composition of mortar, and fly off from the solid in the state of air. These state of massive rock. The hardening of mortar, I have had opportunity to verify by actual experi- principles enable us to explain what takes place therefore, depends chiefly on two properties-the ment. To some members of the Society, particu- in the conversion of limestone into quicklime. By power of absorbing fixed air from atmosphere, and larly those who have been much conversant with calcination, the fixed air, which made up forty of rendering solid a portion of water. Slow drybuilding, I must apologize for reciting facts, and parts in a hundred of the whole mass, is expelled.ing also contributes very much to its ultimate giving reasons, already familiar to them. The ex-The imperfections of lime not sufficiently burnt, hardness, and time is necessary to enable it to acplanations are made as plain as possible, for the arise from its still retaining a portion of fixed air, quire its greatest solidity. The unrivalled hardsake of those who have not had opportunity to ac- the substance being partly in the state of lime-ness of the Roman cement is owing, in part, no quire the same information. If any improvements stone, and partly in the state of quicklime. On the doubt, to the length of time that has been occupied can be suggested in the ordinary modes of making other hand, when the heat is carried too high, the in its consolidation.

mortar, it is doubtless important that they should lime becomes partially vitrified, by which means II. THE QUALITIES OF GOOD MORTAR ARE, "to be generally known; for it is only in the most ex-its qualities are very much impaired. Pure lime-adhere readily to the substances to which it is appensive undertakings, and consequently in such as stones are not so much inclined to vitrify as those plied; to cement them together; and to acquire by are of rare occurrence, that we can avail ourselves which contain foreign ingredients, such as sand, time a strong hardness." Consequently, mortar of the skill and experience of the professed archi- clay or iron. Limestone, containing either of these will not be good if it crack in drying, or if it be substances, requires to be burnt with a lower heat, soft and brittle when dry. When a chimney, for The ancient Romans, who displayed their polit-and continued longer than usual. When properly instance, is laid with good cement, the detached ical wisdom in so many ways, regarded the prepa-burnt, they often constitute some of the best kinds parts, after some time, become united into one ration of mortar of such vast importance to the of lime, especially for water cement. mass; so that the whole structure has the same

tect.

strength of their architectural works, and the du- I may be pardoned for digressing here a little firmness as it would have, were it composed of a rability of those structures which they designed from the main subject, to give some rules which single mass of brick or stone; and a wall plasterfor conveying to distant posterity an impression of will enable any one to decide, whether a given ed skilfully, will present a surface almost as firm their opulence and power, that they enacted laws mineral is limestone or not. The different kinds and impenetrable as marble. On the contrary, it to prohibit the use of bad, and to enforce the use of are exceedingly various in appearance, but may is obvious that a cement which does not bind the good mortar. Nor, as we shall see by and by, were all be known by one or more simple trials. Lime-detached parts of a structure together, operates their artisans less attentive to the subject than stone is generally of such a degree of hardness as merely by filling up the crevices, while the fabric their legislators. And what has been the conse- to be readily scratched with a knife; but it is too has little more stability, than what results from quence? Such parts of their buildings, and other hard to be cut like soapstone and gypsum. If a drop piling brick or stone one upon another. A wall public works, as the despoiling hand of barbarians of any strong acid fall on limestone, it will boil or likewise made of soft or rotten mortar, will be liahas spared, have only grown firmer and more im- effervesce. This is the most convenient test, and ble to cleave off on every agitation, or even by its perishable by the lapse of two thousand years. is not apt to lead into error. For the acid, oil of own weight; or if it cracks, the aggregate strength The mortar with which their structures of stone vitriol, or aqua fortis, or muriatic acid, may be em-jof the wall will be feeble, compared with that which or marble were cemented, has acquired a hard-ployed, one or all of which may generally be ob- would result from the firm cohesion of all its parts. ness which, in many cases, surpasses that of the tained of apothecaries or physicians. It may be Let us enquire, then, by what means we may commaterials themselves, so that the whole fabric has diluted with an equal bulk of water, and kept in a pose a cement, which shall possess all the good gained the firmness of a solid rock. Happily, Ro-small phial with a stopper of glass or beeswax. properties enumerated, without the bad. man Authors have given us the exact details of the When used, the stopper may be wet by turning III. What relates to the COMPOSITION OF MORprocess by which this cement was prepared; but down the acid upon it, and then applied to the min- TAR, comprehends, the selection of the materials neither their statement, nor the examination of the eral. If this effervesces, we may conclude it to be the proportions in which they are united-and the article as it is found in the remnants of their works, limestone. A mass, say a quarter of a pound, may mode of incorporating them. indicates that any thing was used in its composition be put into a blacksmith's forge, and kept at a high 1. Materials. The essential ingredients of good but lime and sand: its excellence must, therefore, heat for an hour. If this mass, when cold, slacks mortar, it is well known, are lime and sand. But have arisen from the quality of these materials, on the application of water, we may be sure that it it is plain, that articles very diverse in kind and and the perfect manner in which they were united. is lime. quality may be signified by these terms; and it may

I propose to speak of the chemical principles in- Every one knows that the properties of lime are be useful to enquire what kind of lime, and what volved in the manufacture of quicklime, and the greatly altered by calcination. The only point up- kind of sand, are to be selected. It is asserted by hardening of mortar; of the qualities of good mor-on which it may be necessary to remark, is the high authority, that the colored varieties of lime, tar; of its composition or formation; and, finally, strong attraction quicklime has for the fixed air the blue, for instance, compose a stronger cement of the preparation of hydraulic mortar, or water that was separated from it by burning. If left en- than the white. The latter, indeed, consists more tirely open to the atmosphere, it will speedily ac-exclusively of lime, the former being mixed with

cement.

I. For the sake of some who may not have had quire nearly the whole of what it had lost, and be-more or less iron, sand, or clay. These foreign opportunity to understand the nature of the chan- come as unfit for mortar as powdered limestone ingredients, however, improve the quality of the ges that occur in the manufacture of quicklime, would be; and its strength is weakened, and its mortar; but since the white lime will take a larger

quantity of sand, it is generally preferred in our tar; and it might be well worth the attention of 2. My object being, throughout, to prevent the market An opinion may be formed of the com- those who live where it is very difficult to procure absorption of fixed air, the reason for slacking parative excellence of a given specimen of white good sand, to make trial of brick dust. Refuse small parcels at a time, and stowing away the mor lime, by observing the force with which it slacks. bricks would be very suitable for this purpose; and tar as fast as it could be made up, is sufficiently obDip a small mass into water, holding it with a pair probably methods may be devised of reducing vious.

of tongs, and after it has remained a short time, lay them to powder, which would render the task nei- 3. That as little water as possible should be used, it upon a board. If it swells, cracks, and falls into ther arduous nor expensive. and that the mass should be rendered plastic by powder, with great heat, we may pronounce it to Next to the materials for mortar, we were to working, is strongly recommended by experienced be of good quality. If it does not slack readily, consider, masons. The Greeks, we are told, deemed this with the foregoing appearances, we may infer that 2. The proportion of the ingredients. For brick point so important, that in the structure of their it has much fixed air, which it has either absorbed work, the proportion generally recommended, is large buildings, they separated a mass of mortar insince its calcination, or which was never entirely 1-5 lime, or 4 bushels of sand to 1 of lime. But in to small parcels, contained in separate basins, and separated from it during that process. We may a country like this, in many parts of which lime is kept ten men at each; and the precept of ancient be sure the latter is the case, when hard lumps re-very dear, on account of the distance to which it is masons to their laborers was, that they should wet main after slacking. This preliminary experi-transported, the fact ought to be more generally their mortar with the sweat of their brow. The ment is a useful one, to enable us to judge of the known, that a good mortar may be made with a Romans also are known to have beaten their mor strength of our lime, and to regulate the propor- much smaller proportion of lime. With clean tar with heavy machinery. Perhaps the principal tion of sand accordingly. The best way, where it sharp sand, one-tenth of good stone lime will reason for using but little water, is the greater prois practicable, is to use lime recently from the answer very well; and, indeed, with proper man-bability in this case of the compound being workkiln, or to burn it over just before it is used. In the agement, will compose a cement extremely hard.ed more effectually. selection of the sand, there is room for much care Masons complain, however, of its being too short; 4. The mixture was kept in a pit under ground, and discrimination. In all cases it should be sharp but this difficulty may be obviated, first, by dex- partly, because this furnished a convenient recepand clean, perfectly free from clay or dirt. For terity in the use of the trowel, a dexterity which tacle for it, and partly, because, in this situation, it brick work, coarse sand is preferable, because it may be speedily acquired; secondly, by suffering was screened from the action of the air, which makes the hardest cement; for plastering, finer the mortar to remain some time before it is used; would affect it very little, except on the upper sursand is better, because it makes the compound and, thirdly, by incorporating the materials very face. more plastic. Such sand as is found on the banks thoroughly together, especially just before using. of rivers, or in the street, or at the bottom of hills On this subject, I tried the following experiment. The remarks that have been made, refer to washed by rains, is the kind intended. Sea sand A cask of good stone lime, which slacked with great mortar intended for brick or stone work; but contains a mixture of certain salts, which prevent heat, and crumbled into a fine powder, without whatever relates to the strength and durability of mortar that is made with it from hardening, and lumps or other impurities, was mixed, immediate- the composition, applies equally well to such as is therefore, when used, ought to be repeatedly wash-ly after slacking, with coarse sand, that was sharp intended for plastering walls. For the latter pured with fresh water. In places, also, where sand and clear, in the proportion of one to nine, the lime pose, however, to render the mass sufficiently tenacannot be found free from clay or dirt, it may be forming one-tenth of the whole. Small beds were cious, a larger proportion of lime and finer sand, separated from these ingredients by washing. An made up at a time, in order that the ingredients are requisite. I have found, that one-seventh of appropriate apparatus has been contrived for this might be more effectually incorporated. As little lime, with clean sand, would answer, if the want purpose, and various expedients may be devised water as possible was added, but the mass was of tenacity was remedied, by adding a greater quanto suit different circumstances. In common ope- rendered plastic by continued working with a hoe. tity than usual of hair well disseminated through rations, it will be sufficient to stir up the impure As fast as the beds were made up, they were suc- the mass. In the case alluded to, the workman sand in a tub of water: the sand will first settle to cessively thrown into a pit dug in the ground was of opinion that the mortar would be so short the bottom, while the other ingredients remain three feet deep, and sufficiently capacious to con- as not to cling to the laths; or, as he expressed it, suspended, and may be turned off along with the tain the whole. Finally, the mortar was covered so short that it would not key. But by a little dexwater. If this be turned into a separate vessel, the over with boards, and suffered to remain for three terity in the management, he succeeded perfectly impurities will, in time, fall to the bottom, and the months. At the end of this time it was taken up, well, and was surprised to find the wall, on drying, same water may be used repeatedly. worked over anew, and used for laying bricks. Af-so speedily acquire firmness and solidity, without

It is the practice of many of the masons in this ter an interval of 15 months since it was applied, I a single crack. As so much hair would impair the country, to add a certain portion of clay to their have an opportunity of comparing it with such as beauty of the external coat, it is necessary in that mortar, or at least to select such sand as naturally contained one-fifth and one-seventh lime, made up case, to use more lime and finer sand. It is a great contains it. This is done with a view to render the in the ordinary way, and used soon after; and I find mistake, into which some persons I have met with, compound more plastic; or, in other words, to pre- it harder than either of those. I have detailed have fallen, to suppose that mortar of an inferior vent its being too short. But any portion of clay this experiment with some minuteness, hoping quality, will serve for the first coat. It is obvious does great injury to the cement, by imparting to it that it may be useful to those who are engaged in to the least reflection, that the first coat, having the following properties. building, but live in a place where lime is dear, to not only its own weight to sustain, but that of the

1. Such mortar contracts in drying. This is a know how small a proportion of it may be made to others also, requires to be the strongest of all. It distinguishing property of clay, as every one knows answer the purpose; and hence, that they may be may be illustrated by the fable of the boys who let who has ever observed the fissures that appear on induced to employ pure lime and sand, instead of themselves down, by each others' heels, from a the surface of clay ground which has been wet and clay or dirt. It is probable, indeed, that a cement bridge, in pursuit of the moon. The first, feeling dried. When mortar of this discription is applied might be made with these proportions, that would his hold slacken, let go to spit in his hands, and to brick work, a chimney for example, it shrinks answer tolerably well for brick or stone work, they all tumbled into the water together. as it dries, into a smaller compass, and consequent- without taking so much pains in the composition

laths.

pose.

ly the chimney settles down, often so unequally as of it. But as it was my object to make the best The rules which have been given for the compoto distort it, to disjoin it from the house, or to pro- cement possible with the least lime, it may not be sition of mortar, are sanctioned by the testimony of duce rents in the body of it; or, when used in plast-amiss to review the several steps, in order to see the best architects and engineers; and I lay claim ering, such mortar cracks and falls off from the how each part of the process conduced to my pur-merely to the humble merit of having proved their efficacy by my own experience. But, however pre2. A cement that contains much clay will never 1. The mortar was made up three months be-ferable it may be to build chimneys and form walls acquire great hardness. With this ingredient, it fore it was wanted for use, for two reasons: one of good mortar, instead of bad, we know that hardwill, indeed, be more plastic, and easier to work, was, that the lime was on hand; if suffered to re-ly any new plan was ever proposed, but what met and will make a smoother wall than mere lime main in the cask, its strength would be impaired with more or less opposition. What then will pro and sand; but for all the purposes of a wall, of by combining with more or less of fixed air. The bably be the objections urged against the mode which strength must be admitted to be most im-other reason was, that the quality of mortar is es- here recommended? They may be the following. portant, it will be far inferior to one composed of sentially improved by keeping before it is applied. 1. That it is too expensive.-We will, for comthose ingredients simply. In addition to our own We are assured by one of the best authorities,* on parison, estimate the whole cost of a chimney at 75 observations, we have the authority of Smeaton, this subject, that such mortar "not only sets soon-dollars. Now, supposing the mortar to be made in the famous Engineer, who built the Edystone er, but acquires a greater degree of hardness, and the manner here recommended, one barrel of lime Light-house, for asserting, that "mortar of the is less apt to crack;" and that the ancient Romans, will be sufficient for a chimney. Let it cost five best quality, when mixed with only a small por- whose mortar was so famous, "were prohibited by dollars-it rarely costs so much. Clay or dirt mortion of unburnt clay, never acquires that hardness law, from using that, which was less than three tar would cost something; but we will grant, that and dryness which, without this addition, it would years old." our chimney costs five dollars more than the other.

speedily have attained." Clay, however, that has

been baked, becomes a useful constituent of mor- * Aikin's Dict. 1, 278.

Rees' Cyclop. Art. “Mortar."

For 75 dollars then, we have a chimney which be admitted until it is as dry as possible. Where mical Catechism, Aiken's Dictionary of Chemiswill not be liable to settle out of its place, which this condition cannot be maintained, a cement of try and Mineralogy, or the American Journal of consists of one solid mass made firm by the cohe-common lime and sand, will soften and wash away Science; in each, or all of which, particular dision of all its parts, and which will grow firmer by under water. rections may be found for its preparation.

The Cottager's Manual,

EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR.

time; which is impenetrable to the action of the A perfect water cement is made of lime united elements, and proof against the erosions of ver- with a species of volcanic sand imported from Itamin; and which will be able to maintain its ground ly, called Puzzoland; but as this article is expenagainst the violence of winds and tempests. The sive, various substitutes have been proposed. The FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES THROUGHOUT other has a chimney for 70 dollars, which, as the most common is that extensively employed by the mortar dries, will settle down continually, and so Dutch in the construction of their dykes, called unequally perhaps as to separate from the house, trass or terres. It consists of a porous kind of To or to crack in the main body, or to cause an open-basalt, which is prepared by merely grinding and ing n the hearth of the fire-place. Its aggregate sifting. The species of rock is the same with that strength is little greater than that of a similar pile which constitutes the basaltic wall of Rowan; of naked brick or stone; the elements easily prey and specimens have been sent to the University upon it; and small animals that are apt to infest a from that county, from Surrey, and several western house, knaw their way through its crevices. Thus counties, which is nearly or quite the same subthe dangers of fire are multiplied; and a strong stance as the Dutch tarras. It is a liver-coloured, tical management of Bees, it may be attended March wind or September gale, jostles the bricks porous, dull, earthy substance, sometimes scatter-with great advantage to the cottager, to receive out of their places, or tumbles the whole upon the ed over the ground in fragments, and sometimes some instructions which ought to be minutely atground. accumulated in masses of rubbish, partially redu- tended to in the purchase of hives; for one of the

the president, vice presidents, the treasurer, and members of the British Apiarian Society, who, by their laudable endeavors, have encouraged the culture of the Bee, amongst the cottagers, this manual is dedicated, with feelings of the most profound respect, by their secretary. Before I enter upon the particulars of the prac

2. It will be difficult to make servants bestow so ced to powder. A mineral nearly allied to this, first things which it is necessary for a person to n uch labour on mortar in its preparation, as is and used for the same purpose, accompanies the know, who is desirous of keeping Bees, is the difrecommended. I only answer, that if we expect great free-stone range, which I regard as a con- ference between a good and a bad hive. There is to make improvements in any of the arts, we tinuation of the Richmond coal formation, exten-no kind of stock in which a purchaser can be so must bring our labourers to our rules, and not ac-ding from the Roanoke to the Yadkin. I am not easily deceived as in a hive of Bees, for few pos commodate our rules to their habits. able at present to fix its precise limits; but it sess either the courage or the ability to examine

3. Shall the man of reading, or the scholar, hre - passes through the counties of Wake, Orange, it, and still fewer are aware of the particular extend to teach the art of making mortar to the ex-Chatham, Moore, and Anson, In different parts cellencies which ought to distinguish a sound and perienced mason? By no means: still the man of of the formation there occurs a mineral, usually healthy hive. It must therefore be taken into reading may avail himself of rules given by a ma- appearing in angular fragments, and frequently consideration, that the failure which often attends son far more accomplished in his business than accumulated to such an extent as to constitute a the keeping of Bees, arises more from a want of the one he employs, whose superior achievements considerable ridge. It is of a dark brown colour judgment in the purchase of the stock hives, than in the art, entitle him to special confidence. I within, but incrusted on the outside with iron-rust. from any of those accidental causes to which that have alluded to Mr. Smeaton, the celebrated en- Hence it is commonly called iron-stone in this failure is in general attributed. If a farmer goes gineer who built the Edystone Light House. He country, but in Scotland, whin-stone. If this stone to market who is totally ignorant of the particular may furnish an example of one whose authority, be heated very hot, and in that situation thrown points which constitute the soundness of a horse, in subjects of this kind, is to be regarded as par- into cold water, it becomes easily reducible to or the goodness of a cow, and he purchases either ticularly valuable, because he united the philoso-powder, and answers every purpose of the Dutch solely on his own judgment, and it afterwards phy of the man of science with the practical skill tarras. turns out good for nothing-he has only his own and experience of the engineer. On the coast of An excellent water cement may be formed by want of judgment to blame, and must not throw England, not far from Plymouth, is a cluster of adding to the common materials a quantity of the the censure upon the animal. Human nature is very dangerous rocks called the Edystone Rocks. metal called manganese. This article would be prone to deception in all cases in which self-interFor the safety of navigators, it was a great object too expensive, unless we can find it within our own est is concerned; and a person, having some with the British government to build a Light limits. I am happy to say that I have received a stocks to sell, and who to some judgment unites a House on the spot; but the waves often dash over specimen of manganese from Surry, which is very little cunning, will naturally attempt to recomit so tremendously, that almost insuperable diffi-suitable for this purpose, though I am not informed mend his worst and worn-out hives, and will use culties were to be encountered in the erection of to what extent it is found. A species of lime that all his rustic eloquence to persuade the ignorant the building; and should they succeed in finishing is brown when calcined, contains naturally a por- purchaser, that the goodness of a hive is alone to it, it was doubtful whether it would sustain the tion of manganese, which renders it particularly be determined by its weight. This indeed is in dreadful shocks to which the place is subject du- suitable for hydraulic mortar. Certain iron ores, some instances true, but only where it concerns ring a violent storm at sea. The attempt, how-commonly called white iron ores, also contain a the swarms of the current year, for after that peever, was made, and a Light House completed in portion of manganese; and, when pulverised and riod, the weight is a false criterion; the worst the year 1700. The architect was so sanguine in added to the common ingredients for mortar, com-hives generally weighing the most, and this is his opinion of its strength, that he declared his pose a very good water cement. Even the black accounted for by the great quantity of bee bread wish to be in it during the most violent storm that scales, which fall from the anvil, and which are which is found in old hives, and which being a vecould blow. He had his wish, and perished in it easily pulverized and sifted, will form with lime ry heavy substance is apt to mislead the unwary during a storm that occurred in 1703. About the an excellent variety of this mortar; and for limi-purchaser, who not being aware of the existence middle of the last century, Mr. Smeaton at the ted operations may be the most convenient sub-of such a substance in a hive, conceives that it is request of the government, undertook to rebuild stance for that purpose. the extraordinary quantity of honey which causes

it of stone. To secure all possible durability in Finally, a certain kind of impure limestone, the excessive weight. his materials, he instituted various experiments on containing a large portion of sand and clay, and a When a person intends to purchase a hive, he composition of mortar. I will only add, that the little iron, is so well adapted to this purpose as to should go in the middle of the day into the garLight House built under his direction, has with- have acquired the name of hydraulic lime. An den where it stands, and take particular notice of stood, for more than half a century, the rudest extensive formation of it has lately been discov-the manner in which the Bees of any individual shocks of that stormy coast. Now, rules which ered in the State of New-York, where it is used hive work. As it is probable there may be other we derive from such authorities as this, are surely on a large scale in the construction of the great hives in the garden, the choice is easier to be deentitled to more confidence than those of an ordi- canals of that State. From the diversified char-termined by a comparison of one hive with anothnary artisan who, however long his life may have acter of the limestone of Stokes county, I should er, in regard to the following particular points. been, has gained little experience, having never not suppose it improbable that there might be 1-The number of Bees which are seen going tried but one method, and that was taught him du- found among them a kind which would serve for in with the yellow balls, or pellets, attached to ring his apprenticeship. water cement. But should not this supposition their legs. prove true, the foregoing facts show, that we 2-The number of drones; the greater the I had intended to include in this paper, particu-have several other materials which will answer number, the more prolific the hive. lar directions for the preparation of a cement that the same purpose. 3-The general bustle and activity which are will harden under water; but lest I may trespass Not having time to point out the particular observed about the hive, and whether the Bees on the patience of the Society, I will only add a modes of preparing these several species of hy-leave the hive with velocity, taking wing immedifew brief remarks. draulic mortar, I beg leave to refer the members ately that they come out or whether they saunof the Society to the large Encyclopedias, Davy's ter about and then re-enter the hive the latter is Elements of Agricultural Chemistry, Park's Che-ja bad symptom.

If common mortar be employed for works exposed to the action of water, the water should not

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