The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-05-20
A NOVEL THEORY.
SUN FLOWERS 40 pREvEN five OF AGuE.


located near fever and ague region, nsu-
tralzes the miasma in which that disease
originates. He was led 10 make an expert.
men, by The following circumstances:
The dwelling of the Superintendent Of the
Observatory at Washington, is situated on
hill on the left bank Of the Potomac, in lat.
3so 39' 53". II is "a feet above low water
mark, and about 400 yards from The river.--
The grounds pertaining 10 it, about II acres,
are enclosed by wall on the East, South and
West, and with picket fence on The North.
The South and West walls run parallel with
the river, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal,
and row of sycamores, of some 20 years
growth, separating the wall from The river.
Ia fact, the river, with ils marshes, sncircles
about halt of The grounds. The house is,
therefore, in the bend of the, river, and the
place is SO unhealthy that the family Of the
Superintendent are compelled to yacate il
Eve months out of The twelve, the marshes
being covered with rank growth of grass
and weeds, which begin 10 decay early>in
August. A knowledge Of these facts led
Lieut.. Maury's mind to the following process
of reasoning:
off it be the decay Of the vegetable matter
on The marshes that produces the sickness
on the bill, then the sickness must be owing
TO The deleterious effect Of some gas, missma
or effluvum, that is set free during the de-
composition, and fso, the poisonous matter,
or the basis of il, whatever it be, must have
been elaborated during the growth of the
weeds, and set free in their decay. Now, if
this reasoning be good, why might We not,
by planting other vegetable matter between
US and the marshes, and by bringing il into
vigorous growth just about the time that that
of the marshes begins 10 decay, bring fresh
forces TO the vegetable kingdom again TO play
upon.tbis poisonous matter, and elaborate il
again>into vegetable tissue, and SO purify the
aira '.t.-
"This reasoning appeared plausible enough
TO just ifythe trouble and expense Of expert
fneni, and was encouraged 10 expect more
or less success from 1t, in the circumstance
that everybody said, 'plaut trees between
you and the marshes-they will keep off the
chils' But as to tue trees, it SO happens
that at the very time when the decomposition
on ihe nsrshes isysoing on most rapidly, the
tA----s -S-l.---.--b r..rs -lsh s.oppes .ssis
growth 10 prepare for The winter; and though
trees might do some good, yet rank growth
of something got up for the occasion, might
do more. Hops climb high; they are good
absorhenls, and of rank growth, but there
were objections TO hops on account Of stakes,
poles, sc. recolecied that had often
seen sun flowers growing about the cabins in
the West. and had heard, in explanation, that
it WAS healthy TO have them. This was SO
much more in favor of making the expert
ment with sun flowers"
Lieut.. Maury says that an acre of sun
flowers will absorb during their growth many
thousand gallons of water more than are
supplied by the rains. They are of easy
cultivation, and he seeds, which are very
valuable, find a ready market at the drug
stores. The theory or science of the expert
ment is this: The ague and fever poison is
set free during the process of vegetable de-
cay, which poison is absorbed by the rank
growing sun flower, again elaborated into
vegetable matter, and SO retained until cold
weather sets in. The result of the expert
ment is thus narrated:
"Finaly, resolved 10 make the expert.
meut at the risk Of spelling the looks Of a
beautiful lawn. Accordingly, in the fall Of
1855, the gardener irenchsd up 10 the depth
OF 81 feet belt about As feet broad around
the Obseryator on the m srshy side, and from
15O to 200 yards from the buildings. The
conditions of the theory 1 was about to try,
required rich ground, tall sun flowers and q
rank growth. Accordingly, after being well
manured from the stable yard, the ground
was properly prepared and planted in sun
flowers. They grew finely; the sckly season
was expected with more than ordinary anxi-
ETY.. Finally 1t set in, and there was shaking
at the Presidents House and other places as
usual, but for the first time since the Ober.
valory was built, the watchmen about il wea-
lbered the summer clear of chills and fevers.
These men, being most exposed 10 the night
air, suffer most, and heretofore two or three
relays of them would be attacked during the
season--for as ons falls sick, another is en-
ployed in his place, who, in turn, being at
tackled, would in like manner give wsy to
fresh hand. And last year, attacks Of ague
and fever were more than usually prevalent
in the nelghboring parts Of the city"
During the present year, Lieut.. Maury in
tends 10 repeat the experiment, with vsria-
tion in two respects. First the seeds are to
be planted later; and, second, there are TO be
Two paintings, so that the last crop may be
caught by the fros, while yet in flower. If
on a second trial the result proves equally
favorable, the practical benefit Of The discov-
cry will be great indeed, and Lieut. Maury
will have added another 10 the evidences he
has given, that true science is the handmaid
Of practical utility. ~. .... ....
n A revolutionary patriot, a native Of
Long leland, passed through Easton, lately,
- u "a