Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-08-17
Waste Substances.

There are vast quantities of waste sub
stances scattered over the earth, 10 every
direction, that, If applied to some useful
purpose, would prove of inestimable benefit
TO mankind. Within few years past /,
chemistry has been the means Of utilizing
many OF these produces, turning them to
valuable account.
We need only to call attention to a very
few among the many substances long deemed
useless that are now employed in the art
aad sciences, or tor mechanical and manu-
featuring purposes, to exhibit the immense
benefits that these discoveries have conferred
on our Industrial progress
Seaweed. gathered on the ocean coast, when
distilled, yields ammonia, tar, and q large
proportion of iodine. Il has also been de-
termIned that the residue OF the weed can
oe manufactured into seryiceable paper but
Tor the latter purpose it is very seldom used.
From refuse bones are manufactured glue,
phosphorus. soap. bone black, bone dust, and
| valuable manures.
The intestInes of animals are made into
strings for musical instruments, whip and
| can3 coverings, and various other purposes
Inc feet OF the larger species, such as the
horse, OK and buffalo, are made into glue,
gelatin and isinglass.
From the waste salt of saline mines or
springs is obtained borax, bromine, salts of
potash, salts of magnesia, and valuable fertil-
izing elements.
Cotton seed is another article that onl =
quite recently was made valuable to either
| agriculture or commerce. The seed is now
ground, and a very pure oil expressed from
the pulp. The cake is also an excellent food
! ior cattle, and is alike beneficial 70 those in
tended for the dairy, or set apart for the
butcher.
The fibre of corn husks is made in to paper
twIne, mats, and in some instances into a
coarse kind of clothing.
Refuse leather is ground, made into what
is termed " leather cake" and is then man
ufactured into cheap shoes. Prussian blue
and glue are also made from waste leather.
Spent tan bark and saw dust are both used
as fuel IN many large manufactures and
mills.
Damaged grain and potatoes are manu-
featured into starch, and the latter substance
Is frequently made into grape sugar, artificial
honey. and syrups of various kinds, used by
bJth distillers and brewers
Extracts of all kinds are now made by the
chemist with great facility. There is moth
ing so common, in connection with the lab
Oratory, as the manufacture of cordials and
Stracts without their containing a particle
Of the original substances for which they
| were named.
Domestic sumac is now largely used for
both tanning and dyeing. The wood is also
subjected TO Installation, and yields pyrolig-
neous acid. This acid is also distilled in con
siderable quantities from pine trees. Il il
| neld there in combination with tar, pitch
turpentine, gas and water. In combination
| with lime, IRON and soda, the acid is exten.
! sIvely used in dyeing and printing on cloth
It is also an important element in the manu-,
facture of the acetate of lead, chromste Of
potash, and various other chemical produc.
/ lions.
The shavings and refuse pieces of ivory
that are thrown aside in large manufactures
are now burned and then used in the manu-
acture of steel. They are likewise mad,
available for hardening bank note and othel
steel plates. This refuse ivory also make.
the very best ivory black.