CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TREAT- ING, MANURING, OR PREPARING CORN, SEEDS, PLANTS, AND TREES, AND IN FER- TILIZING LAND
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, FRANCOIS
HENRI BICKES, of Mayence, on the Rhine, Gentleman, and MEYER HENRY, of
Colonial Chambers, Crutched Friars, Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Nineteenth day of June, (One thousand eight hundred
and forty-seven,) in the tenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs
and successors, give and grant unto us, the said Francois Henri Bickes
and Meyer Henry, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that we, the said Francois Henri Bickes and Meyer Henry, our exors, admors,
and assigns, and such others as we, the said Francois Henri Bickes and Meyer
Henry, our exors, admors, and assigns, should at any time agree with and
appoint, and no others, during the term of years therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise and vend, within that part of Her
Majesty's United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her
Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, the Islands of Jersey,
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her Majesty's Colonies
and Plantations abroad, our Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TREAT-
ING, MANURING, OR PREPARING CORN, SEEDS, PLANTS, AND TREES, AND IN FER-
TILIZING LAND;" in which Letters Patent is contained the usual proviso, that
we, the said Francois Henri Bickes and Meyer Henry, shall particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under our hands
and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us, the said Francois Henri

page_text: Bickes and Meyer Henry, and cause the same to be inrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and
by the said Letters Patent, reference being thereto had, will fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Francois Henri Bickes and Meyer Henry, do hereby declare that the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, are
fully described and ascertained in and by this present Specification thereof,
that is to say:-
Our Invention consists in, and has reference to, the treating, manuring, or
preparing corn, seeds, plants, and trees, and in fertilizing land by the use and
through the agency of the composition, substances, matters, and things herein-
after particularly described and ascertained, and the adoption of the methods
and processes also herein-after described and ascertained. We treat manure
or prepare corn, seeds, plants, and trees, and fertilize the land by the use and
application of certain solutions marked A to M, and dry compositions marked
a to f, as herein-after set forth and described. And with regard to the corn
or seeds to be so treated, manured, or prepared for each bushel of such corn
or seeds we take three pints of the particular solution proper for the particular
kind of corn or seeds to be treated, manured, or prepared, for sowing or setting
in the ground. With small quantities, however, it is not necessary to exact
this proportion. It is sufficient that the corn or seeds be moistened by the
proper solution to the point where the corn or seeds will no longer absorb the
liquid, which consequently begins to run off from such corn or seeds, the
solution and corn or seed being continually stirred all the while. Potatoes are
steeped in the proper solution, of which they take more or less according to
size. With regard to plants, trees, and vines, which have yet to be planted,
the root is steeped in the solution proper for such particular plant, tree, or
vine; but with regard to plants, trees, and vines, that are already planted,
they are treated as follows:-To small plants are administered a few drops
only of the proper solution; to woody plants of from one to two feet high, a
quarter of a thimble full of the proper solution is administered; to plants of
from three to four feet high, half a thimble full of the proper solution is
administered; and to plants of from five to six feet high, one thimble full of
the proper solution is administered; but for plants not woody, half of these
quantities will be sufficient. For trees, bushes, and plants, in the age, size,
and character, of which there is so much variation, it is difficult to give exact
measures or proportions with regard to how much solution is to be employed;

page_text: but the following rules will afford sufficient guidance as to the proper measures
and proportions thereof. To a tree or plant of from eight to ten feet high,
according to its size, quarter to half an ounce liquid measure of the proper
solution is used. To trees or plants varying from one to one and a half inches
in diameter, one ounce each plant; two inches in diameter, two ounces; three
inches in diameter, four ounces; four inches in diameter, six ounces ;' six inches
in diameter; half a pint; eight inches in diameter, three quarters of a pint,
and one foot in diameter, one pint. To vines, from one to one and a half
ounces of the proper solution to each plant, according to size, is- administered.
The solution is applied. to vines, trees, or plants, already in the earth, by
making a hole in' the ground near the stem, with a pointed wood or iron, or by
opening the ground around the stem and putting the proper quantity of the
solution into such hole or opening. For the better distribution of the solu-
tion, it is proper to give the vine tree or plant some water after the application
thereof; or which is preferable to put the quantity of the solution which is to be
employed in the proportionate quantity of water, and then apply it as just
stated with regard to the: solution only. It is not advisable to put the whole
quantity of the solution over the seed at once; but it is better to moisten it
gradually. Corn or seed is mixed with. the solution on a floor where the
liquid cannot be absorbed by the flooring. For the preparation of large
quantities of seed, it is advisable to employ three persons, two of them to keep
constantly turning over what 'the other one moistens, the turning over of the
seed being done very quickly and without interruption; but the mixing of the
seed and solution may be done in a cask or barrel kept rotating or moving.
When the corn, seeds, plants, or trees, have been sufficiently treated with the
proper solution, they must then be treated with some or one of the dry compo-
sitions herein-after set forth, such as may be proper for the particular soil, the
said dry compositions being first of all pounded very fine, and then passed through
a sieve in order to render them thin like flour. It is necessary to take care that
the corn, seeds, plants, or trees already treated with the proper solution be not
allowed to get dry before proceeding to treat them with the proper dry com-
position, as otherwise such dry composition will not adhere to the corn, seeds,
plants, or trees, as some corn, seeds, plants, or trees which have been treated
with the proper solution dry sooner than others. The period at which the
particular kind of corn.or seeds under treatment evince a disposition to stick
together will be most suitable for applying the proper dry composition; and it
is to be observed in the case of corn or seeds, if allowed to get dry they will
stick together so as to form one mass, which cannot be divided but by moistening
with water, which is in most cases objectionable. The quantity of dry com-

page_text: position to be used is one and a half to two pints for each bushel of seed. To
prepare potatoes it is preferrable to put them in a small basket, dip it con-
tinually in proper solution, and then turn the potatoes out upon the dry
composition, and roll them in it. Potash or salts must be carefully avoided in
the preparation of potatoes. In heavy and well-cultivated land it is only
necessary to soak the potatoes in the solution on the field, and then plant them
in the ground. For watering the roots of trees or plants already in the ground,
it is always better to put the solution in the proper quantity of water, and add
the due proportion of the proper dry composition, instead of putting first the
solution to the plant, then the dry composition, and then the water afterwards.
To avoid the expence of watering meadows, &c., they may be opened by the
harrow, and then sown with prepared seed. Grass prepared according to this
Invention being stronger and more healthy than ordinary grass, soon overruns
the old plants; although it is unnecessary, greater vigour may be obtained,
especially in sandy soils, if a double preparation be employed, that is, after the
first preparation is completely finished of the solution A, or B, hereafter set
forth and described, according to the plant, two or three pints per bushel may
be used, and before the seed gets dry as much clay as possible employed. For
trees which are to be planted in poor sandy soils, according to their size, put in
the whole one or two pints of clay or double the quantity of loam, which must
be properly mixed with the sand, and double or treble the quantity of solution
above prescribed, for trees which are already planted. A concentrated solution,
as herein-after set forth, can be applied in cases where it might be desired to
make the preparation more effectual, and when too much water may prevent
the soaking in of the solution or liquid.
Having set forth and described the particular method or methods, process or
processes, adopted by us for treating, manuring, or preparing corn, seeds,
plants, and trees, and in fertilizing land, we will now describe the solutions and
dry compositions made use of by us for carrying our said Invention into
practical effect, as herein-before mentioned and referred to.
Solutions A. For potatoes, onions, and other plants of the like class or
character, one pound of glue or gelatine dissolved in six parts of cold water.
B. For sugar cane, maize, beetroot, turnips, carrots, chicory, and all other
saccharine plants, one pound of crystalized sugar dissolved in three to four
ounces of boiling water. Instead of crystalized sugar, beetroot sugar can be
used, or molasses may be made use of; but crystalized sugar from the sugar
cane is preferable. All materials which contain ammonia must be carefully
avoided.
C.-Tobacco.-Make an extract of one hundred ounces of tobacco leaves,

page_text: and put in this extract one ounce of tobacco that has been reduced to ashes;
moisten the seed till the liquid begins to run off, care being taken to choose
the corresponding qualities of tobacco. To improve the produce it is
necessary to employ for this solution superior qualities of tobacco, namely,
Varinas, Porto Rico, Havanna, &c.; and by this means the quality of the
produce will approximate to those qualities. All sorts of manure must be
carefully avoided; and it is advisable to choose a field that has received no
manure for several years. In transplanting, put a pinch of pounded or minced
tobacco in the drill hole.
D. For French beans, haricot peas, lentils, tares, and plants of the same
class or character, one pound of glue or gelatine, one ounce and a half of salt-
petre, three quarters of an ounce of common salt, and six pints of water..
ཟ
E. For wheat, rye, barley, oats, buckwheat, sunflowers, hops, and plants of
like class or character, one pound of glue, quarter of a pound of saltpetre, two
ounces of common salt, and six pints of water. For hops, half an ounce of
the solution is used for watering the same.
F. Cotton, rapeseed, hemp, linseed, matière, sativa, poppies, and other
oily plants, one pound of glue, two ounces of saltpetre, one ounce of common
salt, and six pints of water.
G.--For horseradish, radish, and roots or plants of like class or character,
the solution D or A, herein-before set forth. The latter when the soil is rough,
dry, and little cultivated, is to be used or applied.
H. For herbs, the greater part of garden plants, vegetables, cabbages,
colewort, salad, flowers, dahlias, and plants of the like class or character, the
solution F, herein-before set forth, is to be applied. For the more delicate
plants the solution D may be used.
I. For plants and flowers of very delicate constitution, and not woody, the
solution D is preferable.
K. For small plants, woody, as canmelias, hortensias, and plants of the like
class or character, the solution F to be applied.
L. For vines, one pound of glue, four ounces of saltpetre, two ounces of
rough tartar, six pints of water.
M. Seed for trees, use the solution E.
A solution or composition to increase the capability of plants to attract
humidity can be made by taking two ounces of carbonate of potash to one
pound of glue. When the solution is to be used for watering or soaking plants
and trees, the half or one third part of the solution proper for the particular
kind of plant or tree under treatment is sufficient; that is, instead of six pints
of water to one pound of glue, twelve, eighteen, or twenty-four pints of water

page_text: may be used, which is in the proportion of one measure of solution to two,
three, and four measures of water.
For all the foregoing solutions, except those marked B and C, glue or
gelatine of any kind may be used indifferently. Put one pound of glue or
gelatine into a pot, with sufficient cold water to cover it, say three or four
pints; let it stay for a day or two until partially dissolved, then dissolve it by
the fire, and afterwards cool it down by adding sufficient cold water to make
six pints, or one pound of glue. Before using, take care that the glue or
gelatine be of the temperature of one hundred degrees, or one hundred and
thirty degrees Fahrenheit. For a concentrated solution, put to one pound of
glue five pints of water instead of six pints.
Dry Compositions. a.-White or common clay, as it is employed by brick
makers or potters, is used, especially in sandy, gravelly, or limey soils..
b. Cinders, wood, ashes, turf ashes, &c., are applicable to any soil. It
would be still better and more effectual if the ashes of those plants which are
to be prepared could be employed; but since it is impossible to get a sufficient
quantity, they can only be used exceptionally, for instance, as it is prescribed
for tobacco.
c. Charcoal is very favorable for vegetation, and cannot be employed too
frequently, in any soil.
d. Lime is to be employed on cold heavy land.
e. Plaster of Paris for clover, beans, haricots, tares, &c.; one pint is
sufficient for two bushels.
f-Resins, for firs and other resinous trees; one pint for two bushels of
seed.
In using or applying these dry compositions, or any of them, it will be well
to observe the following rules, as to the application of certain compositions,
substances, matters, or things, according to the varying character of the soils
in which the corn, seeds, plants, or trees are sown, or to be sown :-
First, for sandy, gravelly, chalky, or limey soils, take two parts of clay, and
one part of ashes or cinders.
Second, for loamy, clayey, or heavy soils, take one part of lime or chalk, and
two parts of ashes or cinders. For any soil, take of charcoal half a pint to a
pint per bushel of seed, when charcoal can be obtained. For flowers and
plants in pits, charcoal may be employed with advantage. In light sandy soils
too much clay can never be employed, nor for those plants that like humidity.
The capability of plants to attract humidity can be increased by a variation in
the preparation of the solution, as herein-before described.
A solution or composition to produce a perfume in trees or plants can be

page_text: made by putting in one pint of the proper solution to be used, for the particular
plants as before described, one to three drops of etheric oil, or amber, extract
of Vanilla, musk, &c. Of musk, one drop will be sufficient for twelve pints of
solution. According to the strength or weakness of the perfume employed,
the quantity must be regulated in regard to plants which serve for nutriment,
otherwise the perfume might become too strong. To aromatize flowers, the
quantity of perfume which is added to them can be increased; for instance, on
a camelia of from one to one and a half feet high, put two to three, drops of
perfume.
Having described the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, we would now remark that we do not claim the use and
application of the particular substances, matters, or things herein-before set
forth and described, when such substances, matters, or things are taken and
considered separately and apart from the purposes of our said Invention of
certain improvements in treating, manuring, or preparing corn, seeds, plants,
and trees, and in fertilizing land, which Invention we hereby declare to
consist in, and we claim in respect thereof, the use and application of the
substances, matters or things above stated, combined, and employed as herein-
before particularly described, together with the method or methods, process or
processes, of treating, manuring, or preparing corn, seeds, plants, or trees, as
also herein-before particularly described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Meyer Henry, on behalf of myself and
the said Francois Henri Bickes, have hereunto set our hands and
seals, this Seventeenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One