The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-08-29
Editorial NOtings.

~ VI M T. Ii y IVA -
SoCIETY.-Through the kindness of
Secretary S. ID. Hillman of Mime
apolis we are favored with copy of
the Sixteenth Annual Report of this
energetic and resolute organization.
In the midst of unexampled discourage
ment, so far as tree-fruits are con-
cerned, and with climate which, in
its severest moods, even the fruit-trees
of Russia seem unable to contend
against Cat least in some sections of the
state), their course is right onward.
The growing of seeding fruit-trees is
being inaugurated at experiment sta
tions all over the state, the seeds being
taken from the best and hardest Rus
sian, Siberian and native varieties and
their crosses. Our Minnesota friends
have only to persevere along this line
for moderate length of time to solve
the vexed problems of this branch of
horticulture successfully. 1t is the
only true and safe, if slow, line of prog
ress under such conditions. In other
lines, especially in the growing of
grapes, melons, strawberries, rasp-
berries and other small fruits, Mime
sofa is already almost self-supporting,
and will soon be entirely so. The
bright sunshine and sustained heat of
Minnesota summer enables her to
ripen even the Concord grape success
fully, and with that, and earlier sorts,
to produce this luscious fruit in full
perfection at small cost. In this re-
spect she has the advantage over many
parts of New England.
DANGER BY THE FIREsIDE.-Th
NeU England Farmer says in its house.
hold department that
Ammonia should not be used in the
evening, or near a fire, or the bottle left
uncorked, because in its way it is dan
gerous. Its volatile character makes
the escape of an inhammable gas pos
sible. The fumes should not be
breathed, and on no account should a
particle of it be swallowed. Remem-
Der, then, to have the bottle uncorked
long enough to pour out the required
quantity. Use a rubber cork in the
bottle. Like kerosene it is a bad mas
ter. Too much care can not be taken
in using kerosene. The best quality
will not ignite by contact with flame,
but it gives off gas or vapor that eX-
plodes and sets fire to everything it
touches. The flames from kerosene
can not be extinguished with water,
but flour thrown profusely upon them
will smother them, or large wooden
rug or cloth will help stife them.
There are a number of singular errors
in this paragraph Ammonia is non
intlammable gas and its solution in
water ("aqua ammonia" in which
form it is commonly used) is also non
infiammable. When ammonia is dis
solved in alcohol the alcohol onlyis in
flammable. In regard to the volatile
hydrocarbons of petroleum and coal
oil, they are infammable just in pro-
portion to their lightness; and the
lighter forms, of which benzine is the
most common, are more dangerous to
handle in the presence of flame than
gunpowder or nitro-g lycerine, because
their vapors, which escape rapidly and
profusely in warm room, form an eX-
plosive mixture with the air. This
mixture will flash at a considerable dis
lance from lamp, fire or lighted
match, with most disastrous results. 1t
is not the best quality of kerosene that
gives off vapor which eXplodes, but the
poorer qualities, containing benzine.
"Government-test kerosene is quite
safe to use under all ordinary circum-
stances, though careless persons can
set themselves on fire with it, as they
can with matches. 1t may be added,
in regard to ammonia, that daily eX-
perience shows that no harm results
from inhaling it, when well diluted
with air, or from taking it internally,
when mixed with water in proper pro-
portions. In this form it is quite fire.
quently used in medicine as rapidly
acting stimulant and anti-spasmodic.
DRIVING OFF AMMoNIA.-Brother
Cheever says, in the NeO England
Farmer:
Ashes on most soils will prove bene-
fetal, however they may have been APP
piled, and their valuable ingredients
will not be wasted by rain or sunshine,
the soil holding them till taken up by
the growing crop. You have not in
jured the ashes in the least, neither the
manure; though mixing manure and
ashes is not to be recommended, unless
the application to the land is made at
once. If ashes are mixed with manure
and allowed to remain in pile for
some time there is danger of driving
off the ammonia from the manure by
too active fermentation.
We have ourself made the statement
in regard to ashes driving off ammonia
from manure in years gone by, when