Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-24
Scientific yos.~

In experiments on manures artifclaly
prepared N. IL. Joule has determined that
the loss OF nitrogen during the process Of
fermentation ID about 90 per cent, A pro-
portion INFERIOR to what takes place In
actual practice.
To make plaster set quickly mix 10 with
water into which little sulphate Of potash
has been dissolved. To make plaster set
slowly mix II with fine Stacked lime.
The time OF setting may be regulated after
few trials by changing the relative pro-
portions.
The report on recent improvements ~
astronomical Instruments, drawn IN by
Professor Newcomb and presented TO Con-
gress as the fruit OF his visit last year to the
principal obseryatories in Europe. has been
received with due consideration by as
tronomers in that continent.
The British Social Science Association
meets this year In Birmingham, from Sep
tcmber 18th TO oath. where It's first meetings
were held In 1851. II is now sixteen years
since this organization met for the second
time in Birmingham. Mr.. G.. J. Shaw
Lefevre has accepted The presidency OF this
body for the ensuing year.
Taking the nirifying action Of gypsum
on soil a. 100, NJ. Pichard says that OF sodi.
um sulphaie Is 47.9l, that OF potassium
sulrhate 1913, and that Of IN ,gnesium
carbonate 1852. The nitrifyIng power OF
gypsum explains its beneficial action In
producing crops Of lucerne, while that o
the lime salts justiiles the ancient practic,
OF marling.
Horseshoes made entirely Of the horn'
Of sheep have been tested OF late in Lyons
France. Horses shOd with them have beer
driven over variety Of payements at {
rapid pace without slipping. They are
more expensive than the ordinary iron
hor. eshoes, but they are more durabl,
and more readily adapt themselves 10 thu
changing size and shape OF the horse
hoofs.
a memoir by VI. +. Maumene treats OF
the presence OF manganese in plants and
animals and on the part played by thi'
substance in the animal system. Tea ans
| tobacco are found TO contain the llrgcs
| quantities Of metallic manganese. which l.
| on the whole injurious TO animals and con
| staully rejected by them. Hence he infer
1t should no longer be employed meilci
paliy.
That the various powers OF a great m
| lion may have free exercise and innucnc'
in the world its people must have, says Sli
| James Paget, distributed among them. be
sides the possibilities for the at alnmcnt o
every form or depth OF knoYedge. "abil'
| ties Ia live bcaIthily wherever work mu,
| be or can be done" Herein. he asserts. f.
| the essential bond between health and edu
cation.
NJ. Neyreneuf. says the Cdemical Ners
| finds that with coal gas or with hydrogen
| sound undergOes less dimnution OF in
| tenSiiy than in trayersihg the same stratum
| OF air. This result is contrary 10 that shown
| in Leslle's experiment. but in this bitter the
| vibrations were communicated 10 the "a
from a solid body. and not, a. in the pres
cnt researches, from one gas to another.
rr. Pietra Santra injected the body OF ;
rabbit with q solution containing two mil
| ligrammes Of biniodide Of mercury ant
| that OF sheep with five miligrllnmes, anC
he asserts that after several months thu
preparation sufccd,to keep the carcasseS il
perfect state Of preservation. OF course
| this method OF arresting decay will hardly
recommend itself to dealers in game OF
meat or to their customers.
1t Is reported from Kylealsin, Isle o
Skye, Scotland, that large basin made o
small pieces Of copper riyeted together ant
several wooden kegs containing "bog but
ter" have been dug up from 4 depth o
| seven feet in peat moss at that place. Thu
kegs we're followed cut OF solid blocks o
wood, aud they show traces OF fire all Over
she surface. The largest is foot inche
IN height and feet 6 inches in circum
| ference.