The record-union., 1899-08-28
demonstrated in the feathered tribe, as
we'll as in the human family.
corr

demonstrated in the feathered tribe, as
we'll as in the human family.
ALKALI SOIL.
Salt Lake Tribune: In the Govern
ment experiment stations throughout
the semi-arid region, much attention
is being given to the investigation OF
excessive aIkali in the soil In many
sections, notably in California ana
Utah, there are large regions of irri-
gated land, which are practically non
productive on account of the presence
of alkai. Investigation makes it plain
that this is due to irrigation, and III
many instances to excessive irrigation.
The water applied to the soil brings
the salt to the surface. When it rises,
in some instances it has been found
that the lower portions of streams have
been rendered very alkaline by the re-
turn of these salts in the water from
the irrigated fields. The work of the
experiment stations in connection with
this problem is to find a remedy for
the evil, and this they are seeking to
do by demonstrating that in most in
stances crops do not require nearly sc
much water as is applied to them.
CASTOR BEANS.
A writer in the 1.-TWO Republics" pub
lished in the City of Mexico, has an
article on what he calls the Mexican
castor bean, which is apparently the
same plant that grows so profusely In
Southern California, where it has oc-
casionally been cultivated in the mar
ket. Regarding the use and purposes
of the plant the writer referred to says
Several are the products of this
plant On the leaf feeds a worm, the
'bombyx cinthia,' originating from Ben
gal, which manufactures a fiber, very
little inferior to the regular silk. The
former has some advantages over that
produced by the 'bombyx mori (the
worm that feeds on the mulberry leaf,
inasmuch that its production is cheap
er, can be obtained with less difficulty
and lasts longer. The oil has been used
for ages as a purge, and the children
among the natives know too we'll its
taste and effects. In late years it has
been largely employed as a lubricant
for machinery, watches, clocks and car
riages; for drying in painting; for the
manufacture of soaps, pomatum and
perfumed hair oil, mixed with common
lime, forms a fine staple cement. 1t
is one of the best and safest lamp oils
known. 1t burns slowly and thus ef-
fects a saving; it gives a good, clear
light, which is free from danger and
produces hardly any SCOT. Owing to
these advantages it should be recon-
mended for use on lamps attached to
railway, tramway cars and to carriages.
Distilling it over ll-concentrated
potash a solid laminated mass contain
ing % per cent. of sebacic acid, pal
mitin (having the properties of stearic
acid and fusible at 127 deg. CO is
formed from which candles can be
made by mixing with other greasy
substances. A colorless liquid, insolu-
BILE in water but soluble in alcohol or
ether, oleaginous and aromatic, having
all the properties characteristic of com
mon spirits and known under the name
of caprilic alcohol is distilled in con-
nection with the manufacture of the
aforementioned acid. This distillate
can be utilized for lighting purposes
as it produces an intense flame, being
almost electrical in it's brilliancy and
emits no disagreeable odor during COM
bustion.