The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-04-24
SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL.

Uerman experiments nave proven tnat
sea mud is a much better fertilizer for rye
and oats than farm yard manure.
Trials of the latest express compound
locomotive in England with special
train of eighteen carriages developed the
unparalleled speed of about ninety miles
an hour. The highest speed, as measured
by stop watch, was just over ten Sec
onds per quarter-mile run.
When the current IN electric railways
passes from the car wheel to the track, it
causes considerable increase in friction
between the two. Expert opinion seems
to favor the theory that this additional
resistance is due to a slight welding ac-
ton caused by the heat gener ated by the
current.
The most recent observations as to the
amount of heat the earth receives from
the sun show that in clear, pleasant
weather 63a per cent. of heat is alb.
sorbed by the atmosphere and only 36b
per cent. reaches the soil. The figure
rises in October to Al per cent. and sinks
to % per cent. in January.
The Dahl process of sterilising milk
has recently been introduced in London.
Fresh milk is placed in cans which are
Theoretically sealed, then heated and
cooled alternately until the germs are de-
stroyed. The milk can then be kept for
years without loosing its freshness, or
failing to yield cream and butter.
The medicinal virtues Of the apple arc
sounded on all sides by the scientists of
Europe. It is said to neutralize the evil
effects of eating too much meat, and the
German chemists state that it is richer
than any other fruit or vegetable in phos-
phorus, an element that is useful in re-
newing the essential nervous matter of
the brain and spinal cord.
D. Morris, the assistant director of the
Kew Gardens, London, claims to have
discovered the way to raise sugar cane
from seed instead of from cuttings, which
has been the former method, and expects
to realize great results from the crossing
Of breeds and the improving of the stock
as we'll as the cheapening of cane rails
ing. The seed he discovered by the aid
of microscope in the panicle or fowery
head Of the caue.
Investigations into the effect that alti-
tude has upon the growth of plants in
the Alps and Pyrenees result in proving
that height is found to produce modif-
cations not merely in the shape, but in
the thickness Of the bark, the color of
the leaves and flowers, and even in the
anatomical structure of certain organs.
The leaves especially become thicker at
great heights, and their faces often have
double layer of cellules.
Parisians were lately treated to rare
effect Of mirage. The Eiffel Tower was
seen surmounted by an inverted image of
itself, vertical in the heavens and looking
like duplicate continuation of the real
structure. The base of the image lost
itself in the upper mist, while behind the
tower was a low cloud which cleaned
like silver. The sun was shining across
the haze to the left OF the towe and con-
tributed an additional effect of light and
shadow.
A simple plan for protecting sheet
iron stacks has been successfully resorted
to, viz: before raising new chimney,
each section, as it comes from tho shop,
is to be coated with common coal tar,
then filled with light shavings and fired;
it will, thus treated, resist rust for an in.
definite period, rendering future paint
ing unnecessary. The theory by which
this effect is accounted for seems quite
reasonable, namely, that the coal tar is
literally burned into the iron, closing the
pores and rendering it rust proof.