Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-08-07
Ne Preserve era.,.

from the French, by James Byran,
NJ. D., Professor Of the Institute Of
Medicine in the Philadelphia College
Of Medicine:
In the September number Of the
Compte Rendue, we find an interes-
ting extract of a lecture on the best
mode OF preserving grains, by Leon
Dufour.
Mr.. Dufour is well known in Eu-
rope as very acute observer Of the
habits and histories Of insects, as we'll
as scientific agriculturisi. "Ths
reading" he says, "of an article by
NJ. N. Robiere and Cartier, on the
means Of preserving grain, inserted
in the Compte Rendue Of the Acad-
emy of the 18th Of August. 1850, has
reminded me that in lS4l ad-
dressed a memoir on this subject TO
the Central Society Of Agriculture,
Of which I am a corresponding mem
Der.
"The method which indicated 10
preserve grain from the charancon
(the weevil,l the papilIion (ths fiyi)
and other destructive insects, is foun.
ded on reason and experience. These.
cret consists in placing the grain in
conditions unlavorable to the produc-
ZION and development OF the insect
without injuring the grain. Now,
air, light, heat, and moisture are
doubtless influences favorable to all
termination, both animal and vege-
table. Place the grain beyond the
influences OF those agents, and they
may be preserved for ever. II is on
this principle that the siIos or grana-
ries OF the Arabs are conducted, and
the troStreS or tours Of the Mexicans,
in which millions Of bushels of grain
remain fresh and unchanged for in.
definite periods. There is but one
upper aperture, and one lateral one,
through which the grain is intro
duced and taken out, both Of which
can be Theoretically sealed.
"Belore," says he, "stating the
simple and economical plan which
an experience OF fifteen years has
taught me TO be the hest, will say
a few words on the origin Of my
practice. | often found that grain
garnered into one building, chiefly
for the use OF the farm, became affec.
ted with the fly (paPpillion or alu-
cite,) in my granaries at all seasons,
while that OF the laborer, placed in
boxes (bahuts) or hogsheads, placed
in the most obscure parts OF their
houses, were perfectly preserved.
This hint was not lost upon me or
others.
al resolved, therefore, to place, i'm
mediately after the harvest, my grains
well dried (but without artificial heat)
in immense casks (tons) bought at a
low price from the grocers or tobac-
co merchants. staved in one end,
and covered it with a moveable,,cove
ing, retained in place by large
stone.
"These hogsheads or iierces, con-
tanning from six TO seven hectolitres
OF grain, are placed on one end and
in rows along the wall, in the dark
est part Of the granary, keeping the
window shutters always well closed.
II is found that by this process twice
as much grain may be placed without
Inconvenience in the same granary.
| may here mention the testimony OF
Victor Rendue, Inspector of AgricuI-
ture, who has seen and approves OF
my mode Of putting away grain. |
know some large farmers of our coun-
try who have constructed, on the
same principle, recepIacles OF wood,
which will contain more than sixty
hectolitres.
81 repeat, that, after fifteen years.
experience in this process, have not
only not found no insect in my grain,
but, what is Of more importance, the
depredations Of rats, and birds are
avoided, as we'll as dust and all sorts
of waste. The grain acquires no
odor, there is no loss, and il preserves
its purity for pani6cation or germina-
ton. Indeed the merchants prefer
it to all other grains. .a
at would be easy TO adopt this
plan for large quantities in cities, by
making with wet sheet iron or zinc,
large receptacles, to hold forty to
sixty hecIoIitres, and placing them in
the above named condition. We do
here speak Of the modification neces-
sary to be adopted for the extension
of our plan to so great an extent. |
have thought some hints might be
taken from the above by our farmers
and others who deal in grain, in ref
erence 10 their preservation. The
spoken Of are not un-
as well know, among lar
mers, especially where no care IS ia
ken 10 exclude the light end moisture.
A harm or qranary should Of course
he buiIt in a dry place, with a base
ment below the surface Of the ground
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