largest and most powerful light ever made with human hands. It is designed to be used in night at tacks, and to scrutinize the sea for torpedoes. A 40 horse-power engine is required to produce the light. The carbons used are two inches and a half thick. The intense heat generated between the carbon points is half a million degrees, one ninetieth the estimated heat of the sun. It is calculated that with an ordinary reflector a beam of light will be cast so powerful that a person fifteen miles away can see to read by it. AN ELECTRICAL ELEVATOR. Dr. Siemens, who appears to be indefatigable in seeking to extend the sphere of usefulness of electricity, has brought out an electric elevator, which he has been exhibiting at Mannheim, Germany. Its construction appears to be simple, and suggests an easy method of putting in safety brakes. The cage is carried by wire ropes, having counter-weights, so that the cage, when loaded, is practically in equilibrium. The current generator at the base is electrically connected to the dynamo-machine in the cage, and the latter actuates two toothed wheels, taking into a metal rack running up the centre of the passage-way of the lift. ELECTRICITY IN SURGERY. - Trouvé's utilization of electricity in combination with surgical instru scale. Certain other disinfectants, which had been Resorcine is not poisonous in moderate doses. in the water, which kills the organism, and on let-ties of resorcise, and finds that it possesses the Practical Chemistry and the Arts. WHAT IS RESORCINE? gree of concentration it coagulates albumen and precipitates it from solution, on which account it may be used as a caustic to remove unhealthy tissue. In crystals it cauterizes as powerfully as lunar caustic. In homoeopathic doses resorcine will preserve ink and colors, which would otherOUR foreign contemporaries are beginning to discuss the use of resorcine as an antiseptic and wi-e mould quickly, and does not injure the disinfectant, and our readers will naturally in- color. To stop fermentation completely requires quire what it is, how it is made, and what are its a rather strong solution of one and a half to two Dr. Koller prophesies a great future properties. It belongs to a class of bodies called per cent. ments is bearing fruit. A case is recorded from phenols, to which carbolic acid also belong. In for re-orcine, which he says will be the disinfectchemical composition they resemble alcohols, in ant and anti eptic of the physician, the druggist, Vienna in which a doctor has succeeded in curing a and the chemist. It must not be forgotten, howcancer in the stomach, mainly by the assistance that they coutain what is called the hydroxyl rendered by the polyscope. The electric probe, group, OH. They are divided into monatomic ever, that resorcine is too powerful a reagent to be taken internally in unlimited amount. which rings a bell when a ball or any metallic sub-phenols, which contain but one of these groups, stance imbedded in the muscles is reached, is highly diatomic, which contain two, and triatomic, which prized by army surgeons, and an application of the contain three. Carbolic acid belongs to the first same principle to surgical forceps has enabled a of these; it is a monatomic phenol, CH5 (OH). Berlin oculist to save the eye of a workman, which Resorcine is a diatomic phenol, CH, (OH), and was damaged by the intrusion of a spark of steel. has the same composition as two other phenols, This case had become so urgent that it was neces-hydroquinone and pyrocatechine, with which it is sary to extract the piece of metal without delay, or said to be isomeric, of equal measure. to excise the eye; but Dr. Hirschberg, by inserting gallic acid is a triatomic phenol, CH3 (OH)3. sorcine. a soft iron probe, and subsequently converting it into an electro-magnet, withdrew the particle of metal, and saved the eye. SANITARY NOTES. ENCOURAGING SANITARY SCIENCE. The Lon don Society of Arts has decided to award three silver medals for as many London houses as may be found, on examination, to be furnished with the best known sanitary appliances. The conditions include proper provisions against frost, infection, damp, and other cognate evils. The comment of an English contemporary on this is that if the judges have to visit the metropolitan houses until they discover three worthy of the prizes, the peripatetic labors of Diogenes will be trivial compared with their task. ALUMINOUS DISINFECTANTS. - In a communica Pyro The chief use of resorcine, up to the present time, has been in the manufacture of fluorescine, which is obtained by fusing together resorcine and anhydrous phthalic acid. Eosine, one of the most beautiful shades of pink, is a bromine compound of fluorescine. Several other dyes, of more or less value, cau also be prepared from re ANALYSIS BY PHOTOGRAPHY. Pro re Resorcine was originally obtained by fusing certain resins, as gum ammoniacum or galbanum, with caustic potash, extracting it from the fused THE aid that sunlight may give in chemical mass by acidifying with sulphuric acid and shak- analysis has been but little understood. The ing with ether, and then purified by distillation. study of the color of flames suggested to Buusen Since it has come into more extensive use for the au ingenious series of flame reactions, and led manufacture of dyes, new and improved methods him imperceptibly to the invention of the specNext came the absorption spectra, have been devised for its manufacture. The troscope. method now in use consists in fu-ing disulpho- which enable the chemist to detect minute benzolic acid with caustic alkali. The process traces of mineral and organic substances. consists of the following stages: chemically pure fessor Vogel has developed this subject very benzol (from coal tar) is allowed to flow slowly fully. Professor Tyndall met with some into four times its weight of fuming sulphuric markable results in the absorption of radiations acid of 80°. This mixture is gradually heated in organic compounds. Recently Captain Abto the boiling point of benzol, and heated for two ney has published some discoveries in connection or three hours with a return cooler. It is sub- with spectrum photography. He employed a tion to the St. Petersburg Technical Society, Pro- sequently heated for a short time to 275° C., three-prism spectroscope and a photographic fessor Beilstein recommends the use of sulphate of then poured into water and neutralized with milk camera, and in front of the slit of the collimator aluminium as the best practical disinfectaut. He states that the best method of making the salt for of lime. The lime salt is subsequently converted placed various liquids in tubes, and made the into a soda salt, which is heated for nine hours beam of light from au electric light travel disinfecting purposes is to mix red clay with 4 per cent. of sulphuric acid, and to add to the mixture in a cast-iron vessel with caustic soda. The soda through them. He succeeded in photographing some carbolic acid for destroying the smell of the is subsequently removed by means of hydro- various bodies in the ultra red, such as water, matter to be disinfected. According to this au- chloric acid, and the resorcine extracted with acids, ammonia, the alcohols and their iodides, thority, lime and its salts only temporarily destroy ether. benzol, and aniline, about sixty in all. Water, bacteria, and under some circumstances contribute Resorcine crystallizes in colorless plates or col-chloroform, the alcohols, and other substances to their development; and sulphate of iron, even in umns, and dissolves readily in water, alcohol, and containing hydrogen gave certain absorption lines a solution of 15 per cent., does not ultimately de- ether. It melts at 104° C. (219° F.), and boils in positions in which hydrogen lines exist. When stroy bacteria, as they revive when placed in a at 271° C. (520° F.), and can be obtained per- chloride or sulphide of carbon was spectroscoped fectly pure by distillation. It is claimed that it nothing at all appeared; so the ouly conclusion can be made in Switzerland for $4 per kilo. that could be reached was that, in order for (about $1.80 per pound), but we find it quoted there being any special absorptions, hydrogen in German price lists at from $7.50 to $10 per must be present in the liquid. The only effect kilo., or about twice the price of salicylic acid. of the addition of oxygen seemed to be that the To some extent the price will depend upon the rays between the hydrogen lines were more or less blotted out. It would seem as if by spec suitable medium. CARBOLIC ACID AS A DISINFECTANT. — In a paper recently read before the Sheffield Literary and Philosophical Society, by the President, Mr. A. H. Allen, he said that, in comparing the relative antiseptic value of various disinfectants, he was disposed to give the first place to carbolic acid and its preparations, at least for disinfection on a large demand. troscoping an unknown substance a very fair guess can be made at its constitution, which will certainly be a great triumph for photography. MEMORANDA IN THE ARTS. inlaid consists -- while, in addition, hundreds are required to manage a solution of chlorhydrate of aniline in water, to which a small quantity of copper chloride is added. Allow it to dry, and go over it with a solution of, potassium bichromate. Repeat the process twice or thrice, and the wood will take a fine black color, unaffected by light or chemicals. OXIDIZING SILVER. Dr. Ellsner says that -- THE MANUFACTURE OF VINEGAR. A German with the suggestive name of Wurm, has established a factory at Breslau for the manufacture of vinegar FREEING BENZINE FROM OFFENSIVE Odor. from alcohol and water by the aid of Mycoderma According to Mr. Fairthorne, benzine may be freed from all offensive odor by shaking it up well with quicklime, about three ounces to the gallon. there are two distinct shades in use: one produced by chloride, which has a brownish tint, and the other by sulphur, which has a bluish-black tint. To produce the former, it is only necessary to wash the article with a solution of sal-ammoniac; a much more beautiful tint may, however, be obtained by employing a solution composed of equal parts of sulphate of copper and sal-ammoniac in vinegar. The fine black tint may be produced by a slightly warm solution of sulphuret of potassium or sodium. NEW METHOD OF INLAYINg Wood.- Foreign technical journals describe a new method of inlay-aceti. The operation is performed in large wooden ing wood recently invented in England. A veneer of the same wood as that of which the design to be say sycamore is glued entirely over the surface of any hard wood, such as black walnut, and allowed to dry thoroughly. The design is then cut out of a zinc plate, about one twentieth of an inch in thickness, and placed upon the veneer. The whole is now subjected to the action of steam, and made to travel between very powerful cast-iron rollers of eight inches in diameter, two feet long, two above and two below, which may be brought within any distance of each other by screws. The enormous pressure to which the zinc plate is subjected forces it completely into the vats, provided with covers pierced with minute tion. SALT AS A PRESERVATIVE OF TIMBER. - Four teen years ago, a Mr. Sterling, of Monroe, Michigan, veneer, and the veneer into the solid wood beneath placed two gate-posts of white-oak in front of his it, while the zinc curls up out of the matrix it has THE IMPORTATION OF ANILINE COLORS. - It residence. When they were set, he bored into the thus formed, and comes away easily. All that now is stated that not less than 700,000 pounds of ani- top of each, with an inch and a half auger, a hole remains to be done is to plane down the veneer left line were imported into this country in 1880, the three inches deep, filled it with common salt, tightly untouched by the zinc, until a thin shaving is taken greater part coming from Germany and Switzerland, plugged it, and coppered the posts. Having occaoff the portion forced into the walnut, when the At an average value of $4 per pound, these were sion recently to change the location of the posts, surface being perfectly smooth, the operation will worth $2,800,000, and paid a duty of $1,300,000. he found them as sound from top to bottom as the be completed. It might be supposed that the re- Notwithstanding the heavy duties imposed on these day they were planted. sult of this forcible compression of the two woods colors, their manufacture in this country does not would leave a ragged edge, but this is not the case, seem to flourish, and we know of but two establishthe joint being so singularly perfect as to be inap-ments where they are made at all, and there only preciable to the touch; indeed, the inlaid wood fits more accurately than by the process of fitting, matching, and filling up with glue, as is practised in the ordinary mode of inlaying. A LEGEND IN CONCRETE. 66 cast A ghastly from the life" is that which they show in Algiers. It was taken many hundred years ago. (so the legend ran) by inclosing a Moor in cement and using the block for the mole that runs out into the Mediterranean. The legend had it that the victim was a captured Moor who had been brought up a Christian, and on being recaptured by his countrymen refused to abjure Christianity and believe in Mohammed. They say that the legend was so particular and so persistent, pointing out the very spot where he was buried, that on an occasion of repairing the mole the block was fished out, opened, and discovered to contain an exact mould of a man, his beard, moustache, and turban being plainly visible. WASTE CORK. The demand for cork wood waste -- the reds and blues. GLASS FOR WINDOW BLINDS. It is not so very long since glass windows were first used, and now comes an inventor who proposes to make window blinds of glass, and why not? They can be made of any kind, colored, plain, or engraved, and vision from the outside, yet admit more or less light, never need painting. They will serve to exclude which is softened and diffused so as to prevent injury to eyes or to delicate carpets and upholstery. Agriculture. ENSILAGE. THE treatment of the ensilage question by the newspapers has been thus far largely empirical, and well calculated to mislead in a correct understanding of the subject. So long as writers or in their so-called experiments, by which they encorrespondents of the agricultural papers persist deavor to show that "out of nothing they obtain something," a delusion will exist which is detrimental to the interests of farmers. In the accounts published, one is led to believe that it is the quantity, not the quality, of the fodder put into the silos that makes them so valuable and remun79,725,000,000 tons. erative. No distinction is made in the quality or kind of corn fodder to be ensilaged; the point is to select the kind which gives the greatest bulk, and therefore one well-known experimenter in order to turn a penny, recommends in his book THE COAL-FIELDS OF ENGLAND. Edward Hall, in his recent work on the coal-fields of Great Britain, estimates the quantity of coal yet to be worked in Great Britain and Ireland, and at a depth not exceeding 4000 feet: is very large, it being used for patent fire-lighters. and at this rate the supply will last for more than sell." on silos, a seed corn which gives enormous stalks, and this seed can be obtained only of him, at a good round price. If any one wishes for this variety of rubbish to crowd into his silos, it will save money to buy the white Southern corn at AMMONIA AND PETROLEUM.-M. Schlumberger has communicated a note on the "Automatic Ex-fifty cents a bushel, rather than pay that much tinction of Petroleum Fires" to the Société Fran- for a pint to "the only man who has it to çaise d'Hygiène. Many accidents are caused, he remarks, chiefly by imprudence, by the ignition of this substance. The druggist or oilman in going into the cellar where it is kept does not always take due precaution, and a disastrous explosion is the A BIG BREWERY. Bass's ale has gone with result. A method of extinction is now proposed, John Bull round the world, and the manufacture of which is recommended to be made compulsory unthe bitter beverage has come to assume enormous pro- der police regulations. On each cask of petroleum portions. It is said that the area of the first Bass's place a large bottle of liquid ammonia; the glass brewery was that of a moderately large garden. That of the sons occupies freehold business premises extending over forty-five acres, and more than one hundred acres of leased property. Then steam power was unknown in the place. Now there are 32 steamengines, 9 locomotives, 2 portable engines, and 100 cart horses. The employees number nearly 3000, lime. It will be well to remember that the great value of silos is to preserve in convenient form for feeding good varieties of animal food, and farmers cannot afford to build expensive silos to be filled with coarse material, but little better than ordinary brush-wood. The value of fodder depends entirely upon the amount of nutritive material it contains, whether it comes to the animals from the dry mow or from the steaming silo. The best variety of green-corn stalks is the sweet variety, cut at the right time, and raised under One farmer may fill his silo BLACK DYE FOR WOOD. The following new proper conditions. process is published in the Pharmaceutische Zeit- with coarse corn butts, raised by broadcast sowschrift für Russland: First sponge the wood withing, and his animals, fed on the ensilage will al will necessarily be broken at the least explosion or most starve, and in his view, ensilaging is a failure. Another may fill his with good sweet corn stalks, raised with care in drills and in the sunlight, and his results will be so different that he praises silos extravagantly. It is certainly true that success in ensilaging is largely due to skill in doing the work, and in having well-constructed pits; but this does not supply the place of good fodder this is the vital point. NITROGEN IN PASTURE AND ARABLE LAND. compared with the number of those that feed nearer In one of the series of papers on "Fertility," the amount of the nitrogen at the lower depth must the surface, that any reduction which may occur in to which we referred last month, Dr. Lawes gives be comparatively small, and difficult to estimate by some interesting facts concerning the amount of analyses unless periodically taken at very long innitrogen in pasture land at Rothamsted that had tervals of time. The measurement of such changes probably been undisturbed for centuries, and per- as may occur must therefore be left as a legacy to a haps never tilled at all, compared with the amount succeeding generation. in adjacent land, on which wheat and other grain Since 1839 the Broadbalk field has grown one crops were grown at least 250 years ago (though crop of barley, one of peas, one of oats, and thirtythere are no data to show how many years it eight crops of wheat. In 1846, 1856, 1865, 1868, was cropped in succession), and which for the and 1869, the soil of various parts of the field was lage have been made bearing upon these points. last forty years has been under careful experi- analyzed, and it is from the data thus furnished that We are glad to notice that at the New Jersey experiment station some examinations of ensi Ensilage from nine different silos has been analyzed, and we give below tabulated results which are of much interest. In this table the samples have been arranged with reference to their percentages of water and carbohydrates: 77.04 1.02 0.68 6.85 1.00 18.04 Mr. Mills, Pompton, N. J. 8.52 ment in raising unmanured crops. The influ- my estimates are made. In a lecture delivered by Dr. Gilbert in the South Kensington Science Conferences in 1876, he gave in a table the amount of nitrogen removed in the unmanured produce of wheat and straw as follows: Eight years, 1844-51, 25 lb. per acre per annum; twelve years, 1864-75,.16 lb. per acre per annum. In a recent paper on the home produce, consump tion, and imports of wheat, we estimated the annual decline in the yield of the unmanured wheat crop at from one third to one quarter of a bushel per acre This in forty years would be equal to The The soils of the pasture land in Broad balk field, as also of that in the adjoining inclosure, have been submitted to careful analyses, and we find that they do not differ materially from each other. After removing all vegetable matter, roots, etc., amounting to several tons in weight per acre, the first 9 inches per annum. of the finely sifted mould contain 5700 lb. of nitro- from 10 to 13 bush. as the reduction of the crop due gen, while the second 9 inches contain about 2200 lb. to exhaustion. With regard to the nitrogen in the soil, each more. In these experiments the analysis was not carried below 18 inches, but in another plot of pas- analysis shows a reduction in the amount per cent. 7.03 ture, of the same character, a short distance off, the as compared with that which preceded it. analysis has been carried to a depth of 54 inches difficulty consists in fixing the actual amount of Between 18 and 54 inches the such reduction. I am disposed, however, to estinitrogen gradually declines; still, the quantity be- mate it at from 1200 to 1400 lb. per acre during tween these two latter depths would amount to about the forty years, which would be considerably more 5000 lb. per acre, or about 1 lb. to every cubic yard than the amount of nitrogen carried off in the crops of soil. If we assume the surface soil to be 9 inches of wheat. deep, we have 5700 lb. of nitrogen in the surface From what I have previously said respecting the soil, and 7200 lb. below it, making altogether production of nitric acid, and its liability to be nearly 13,000 lb. per acre within reach of the roots washed out of the soil by drainage in the absence of some of our agricultural crops. This nitrogen, of vegetation, it might be expected, in regard to the with certain minerals, forms the stock of fertility continued growth of a crop like wheat-which which could be drawn upon by those who first com- ceases to collect food from the soil early in the menced growing arable crops. The results here afforded show striking and important differences in the nutritive value of the from the surface. fodder from the different silos. It will be noticed that the specimen from Mr. Bailey, at Billerica, stands lowest in amount of fat (only 0.45 per cent. to Mr. Mills's 0.68), and in carbohydrates there are still more striking differences; the Billerica ensilage giving only 7.03 to Mr. Mills's 13.04, or almost two to one in favor of the Pompton ensilage. Mr. Bailey, we understand, summer - that considerable losses would have taken ensilages the heavy coarse corn fodder. The College Farm in the list also makes a poor showThe Rothamsted experiments had been carried on place by such drainage in the earlier periods of the ing, but better than Billerica. It is evident, as by us for some years before we attempted to sample experiment. Unfortunately, however, we had no observed by Professor Cook, that Mr. Mills could and analyze soils; consequently the composition of drainage water collected from the field at those periods. At the present time the composition of make up a full ration for a cow of 1000 lbs. live my arable land, at the time it was first brought under experiment, is not based upon actual analyses; the drainage water of the unmanured land rather weight by feeding daily eighty pounds of his en- still, the analyses made since that period in the vari-indicates that the loss of nitrogen by drainage is not silage and five and one half pounds of cotton-seed ous fields have been so numerous that it is not diffi- more than what we might expect would be supplied meal; while at the College Farm, with five cult to fix, within some reasonable limits, the compo- by the rain-water falling upon the land. pounds of cotton-seed meal, one hundred and sition of the surface soil. I am disposed to estimate To sum up this part of the subject, we have evitwenty pounds were necessary. In these rations the amount of nitrogen in the first 9 inches of the dence of the very large loss in the accumulated stock nearly all the carbohydrates needed and a por- Broadbalk soil in 1840 at between 3300 and 3400 lb. of nitrogen, based upon the assumption that my land tion of the proteine and fat are furnished at a per acre; the second 9 inches at between 2100 and was originally pasture; there is a further large loss very low price by the ensilage; the balance of 2200 lb. this would give a total stock of 5500 to during the period in which the land has been under the proteine and fat is drawn from the cotton- 5700 lb. per acre, which shows the very considerable experiment and growing unmanured corn crops. reduction of 2400 lb. per acre in the amount of The crops are declining; the amount of nitrogen seed meal. If desirable, a much smaller quantity nitrogen contained in the arable land, as compared removed in the crops each year is declining; and, with that contained in the pasture. further, a considerable reduction of the nitrogen in BAD TASTE IN GARDENING. In England there seems to be a growing reaction against the extremely artificial styles of "carpet bedding" and the like that have been the fashion for some years in gardening. • A writer in the Gardener's Chronicle says: of ensilage could be used, and the carbohydrates given in form of corn meal or any feed rich in I may observe there is nothing new in the fact the first 9 inches, with an indication of a small rethese compounds; in ensilage they can be had, that pasture contains a much larger stock of fertility duction in the second 9 inches, is shown by different however, much cheaper than in any feed known for the crop to draw upon than arable land. Mr. analyses of the soil itself. to us at present. One thing must be considered: Caird, for instance, while discussing the possibility if the quality of the ensilage obliges the farmer of our foreign supply of wheat coming to an end, to feed his cows more than eighty or ninety pounds daily per head, there is reason to fear that they will scour. The amounts fed by the above-named gentlemen have varied from sixty-five to eighty pounds, and with these amounts no trouble whatever has been experienced. We therefore conclude that if the ensilage is of first-class quality eighty pounds per day will furnish an animal with the full amount of carbohydrates; if it is of medium quality, it will be safer to limit the amount to about ninety pounds, furnishing the rest of the carbohydrates in form of feed or straw. refers to the stock of fertility existing in our pas- "I seemed to see a long border by the side of a process of converting arable land into pasture might broad gravel path, and along the edge of the path be said to break a man. . . . for the breadth of a foot or more the bed was gleam There is every reason to believe that the nitrogen ing with the yellow glory of the vernal crocus. in the soil which lies below the depth of 9 inches is And I also seemed to see the same border a few available for vegetation; still, the amount of roots days later with all its glory gone, and in place of it which penetrates below this depth is so small, as golden belt a thick ugly stubble of close shorn leave I dare say the reader has often seen the like himself, and seeing has shuddered at such a barbaric sacrifice to the false god of tidiness. Such a sight is a sure token that the garden is in the hands of one who is a gardener only in name. Our language is sadly in want of a new term to save us from the wrong of using the grand old name of gardener when we wish to speak of men who, though they are intrusted with the charge of gardens, and may be often diligent, honest, and in a certain way successful, have no real love for flowers, and none of the true gardener's instincts. The fashionable Roman of the times of the Empire, whom the pride of a luxurious life had utterly estranged from nature, used to call his gardener a topiarius, or object-maker,' because his chief duty was to clip trees and shrubs into fantastic images of animals, ships, and other objects. In like manner many of our fashionable modern gardeners seem to me to be object-makers.' To them a flowering herb or shrub is not a living being with a beauty of its own, bred out of a long ancestral struggle for existence, and therefore seen at its best amid its natural surroundings, a living being, with habits, feelings, longings, to satisfy which its life is one long endeavor, and which unsatisfied must bring shortcomings, and in the end death. They look on foliage and flowers as mere objects, with certain turns of shape and certain shades of color, - mere lifeless units, to be put in or taken up where and when they please, according as they need material to work into their carpet beds, or build up into their glaring parti-colored knots. Like their Roman forbears, the weapons they mostly love are the shears and the knife; and the enemies against which they fight with stubbornness and zeal are leaves." PRACTICAL HINTS. CHARCOAL FOR FOWLS. There is one thing which nature does not supply, and which civilization renders quite necessary to fowls. It is charcoal. Charcoal made of wood does not answer the purpose; it has no taste of food, it is not attractive to fowls, and is seldom eaten. But if any one will put an ear of ripe corn into the fire until the grains are well charred, and then shell off the corn and throw it to the flock, he will see an eagerness developed and a healthy constitution brought about, which will make a decided improvement. All pale combs will become a bright red, the busy song which precedes laying will be heard, and the average yield of eggs greatly increased. plan has been, both with calves and sheep, to wind fences. as ornaments. GLEANINGS. THE NUISANCE OF FENCES. An exchange remarks that the New York law forbidding the pasturing of cattle in the streets and roads has abated "many nuisances in the shape of unsightly The most costly and artistic fence deforms a fine landscape. Fences must sometimes be tolerated as necessities, but should never be regarded The necessity for them is far less than has been supposed. The modern discovery that fences are to keep cattle in, not to keep them out, is a valuable one. If you have a sow and pigs, fence off a lot big enough to keep them in, but don't oblige your neighbors to support two miles of road fence to keep them out. Unsightly fences are disappearing in many districts, and it is probable that where little stock is kept, it will soon be cheaper to cut their feed and carry it to them than to fence pastures. If the pens that we see in our country villages were taken away, with proper care, all would live in a beautiful park; this would foreshadow and aid the removal of social and sectarian barriers, a consummation devoutly to be wished. The change of public opinion in regard to fencing has been a pleasure and a surprise. In many places we can hardly see a fence, and rods of old fencing may be had for the asking." The London Boston Journal of Chemistry. JAS. R. NICHOLS, M. D., Editor. BOSTON, MAY 1, 1881. TRANSMISSION OF ELECTRICAL FORCE. Ir is claimed that by a new device mechanical energy can be transmitted from one distant point to another by means of electrical conductors, so that a descending stream anywhere can be utilized as a source of mechanical power in towns and cities ten or fifty miles distant. This invention is claimed by an Englishman, Dr. Hincks, now in this country, who has constructed the apparatus, and has formed in New York a company with a large capital, to put it in practical operation. The construction of small motors propelled by electricity has been accomplished for many years; ever since, in fact, the discovery of the electro-magnet and methods of changing polarity by automatic devices. The new motor claims to be very much more than a plaything; a power, in fact, which is capable of propelling heavy machinery and doing the work of steam in all its varied applications. We were promi-ed last winter a private séance in this city with this new wonder, but there was a hitch somewhere in the arrangements, and it was transported to New York without having been seen, so far as we can learn, by any one. The machine was constructed here, and it was stated that no unemployed steam-power could be found in the city of sufficient capacity to test it. Dr. Hincks claims that his machine is no untried device, it being at the present time at work in England and Wales, in the mining districts, doing heavy work in tunnels at a distance of ten miles from the mountain stream, which is the source of power. AMERICAN PORK IN ENGLAND. Medical Times and Gazette says: "Although up to the present time no authenticated case of trichina in American pork has been reported to the Local Government Board, that department has determined to issue a circular warning consumers of hams and bacon to cook those viands well before eating, in order that no unpleasant consequences, such as those If the important end has been accomplished of resulting sometimes from their consumption abroad changing mechanical energy over into electrical in a raw state, may ensue. According to a stateforce, and then transmitting the same long disment furnished to the Privy Council, England imports yearly from America seven hundred millions tances by means of a wire, and again changing it to mechanical energy, so as to drive machinery, of pounds of pork. This is but about a fourth of the quantity actually raised in that country annucertainly results are reached of the highest conally, and as the greater portion of the rest is con- sequence in industrial progress. It is claimed sumed in America, the absence of disease caused by that this is accomplished with a loss of only CURRANT WORMS. — A writer in the Fruit Re- trichinæ in the human frame is adduced in favor of twenty-five per cent. of the original power; or, corder says there is no necessity of breeding currant the wholesomeness of American pork generally." to state the matter a little clearer, a turbine worms. This is done by leaving bushes untrimmed, PRESERVATION OF MEAT BY DEXTRINE. - In wheel affording one hundred horse-power at a the worms always attacking the new growth first. Comptes Rendus, M. J. Seure describes some ex-stream can have seventy-five per cent. of the He says: "My plan is this: In starting a currant periments made by him in drying and preserving same delivered to shafting ten miles distant, the patch I confine the bush not to exceed from one to meat by means of dextrine. Of three specimens only medium of communication being a copper three main stems, and give all the strength of the exhibited before the French Academy the first was wire of an inch in diameter. A ten horseroot to their support. As hinted above, sprouts will a slice of lean meat which had been buried in dexstart from the roots each spring; but they must be trine, and left exposed to the air on a shelf in a power water-wheel, located anywhere on a farm rubbed off when about six inches long. All currant closet for twenty months. The meat had become or estate, could have more than seven tenths of growers are aware that worms first make their ap- mummified; but, on putting it in water, it separated its power brought to the farm buildings and pearance on the new growth and then spread over the from the dextrine, and assumed its original physical dwelling, and used for lighting, warming, pumpbush. Consequently, no sprouts, no worms. This is character. The second was meat which had been ing, and all other uses for which it might be chopped up coarsely and mixed without any particu- wanted. The development and practical results lar care with dextrine, so as to obtain a thick paste. of a plan so magnificent as this will be watched This paste was dried in the air, and retained its with interest by every one. properties like the former. The third was meat beaten to a fine pulp with dextrine and run into a LABOR-SAVING DEVICES FOR SEDENTARY mould, the result being a very hard, dry, homogeneous cake, of a handsome appearance. Each of these specimens, when exhibited, had been preserved for the same length of time, just as plain as that two and two make four. I have followed this plan for the last two years to my satisfaction, and have barely seen the effect of worms on one or two bushes where my plan was not fully carried out. But such currants I never saw grow, the common red Dutch being nearly as large as the cherry currant and a better bearer. I had a few bushes that actually broke down from their load of fruit." ANIMALS WITH BROKEN LEGS.- A correspondent of the Rural New Yorker advises stock-growers not to be in haste to destroy any animal that may break a leg, for by means of plaster of Paris and some bagging strips the limb may be set and supported until the fractured bone unites again. His twenty months. THE fertilizing material which might be saved in any farm house, and which is ordinarily wasted, would more than furnish the family with garden vegetables for the season. WORKERS. THIS is the age of labor-saving contrivances, and the saving of labor is generally an obvious gain. In some instances, however, it may be indirectly a loss or an injury. Possibly this is true of certain devices intended for the use of literary men, which, though very convenient and unquestionably useful under some circum stances, may be objectionable in others as tend-ers. In any mechanical labor that keeps one set used only fresh, and is never made into cheese or ing to make sedentary labor more continuously of muscles in constant and rapid exercise, there butter. Horses in Mexico are never used for draught pursedentary, and consequently more detrimental is rest and recuperation in occasional change of to health. motion, however slight and momentary. The poses, but are employed only for riding. Mules and heart, whose throbbing labor knows no intermis- oxen do all the work of transportation. The fine wines made at El Paso on the Rio sion by day or night from birth to death, rests for Grande are transported in skins, as in Bible times. an instant between its successive beats, and the Bottles, kegs, and barrels are almost unknown. interval, though almost inappreciable, is necessary many portions of the country timber is too scarce to to the healthy performance of its functions. No be used for casks; and a frame-house would be a part of our muscular or nervous system was made for incessant and unvaried activity. A man may now sit at his desk or library table for hours without the necessity of rising and walking across the room to consult a book. A revolving bookcase puts a small library beside his chair, and patent book-rests hold half a dozen volumes open before him for instant reference. All the manuscripts and memoranda that he has occasion to use are classified and filed in pigeon-holes or drawers within easy reach. All the tools and appliances of his art are literally at his fingers' ends. lle write a whole may page, if he chooses, without lifting his pen from the paper to replenish it with ink. upon A PROBLEM. THE following item is taken from Nature: It is indeed a remarkable fact that the two very expensive affair. In American influence will soon instil new life into this primitive people. The railroads now building will be the means of civilizing the country, developing its immense natural resources. It has a beautiful climate and vast mineral treasures, which only await this foreign stimulus to be made a source of national wealth and prosperity. METEOROLOGY FOR MARCH, 1881. THE sum of my observations on the weather for the past month has been as follows: Average Thermometer. At 7 A. M. Lowest. Highest. Range. 32.350 24 400 160 41.072 33 50° 170 On the face of it, all this is as comfortable as it is convenient, and for many classes of workers it may be every way economical and advanta-ence. geous. If one has a definite "stint " to do each day, it may enable him to get through with the scientists in England who have received the task sooner, and to gain more time for out-of-highest honors on the part of the government, door exercise or recreation; or if one must do scientific bodies, and learned men in the past five a certain amount of work to " keep the pot boilyears are both believers in and defenders of a ing," it may be only by means of these labor- class of phenomena which is scouted by most of saving helps that he can get such exercise and their admirers as nothing more than trick and recreation at all. We can easily imagine a great fraud. Dr. Crookes, the eminent chemist and variety of cases in which not only no harm re- physicist, and Mr. Wallace have devoted many sults from the use of these devices, but they are years to laborious experimental investigation of directly or indirectly productive of good. Some- the so-called "spiritualistic" phenomena, and times, however, we fear that the apparent advan- have published the results, which are a full adtage may be really a disadvantage, the seeming mission of its verity. How can it be possible gain an ultimate loss. Much of course depends that these careful, cautious, cool, and most accomindividual temperament and habit, but for plished learned men can be mistaken in this one many brain-workers, who have to be in the har-department of research, when they are trusted, ness a good part of the day, we have no doubt honored, and applauded for their labors in all oththat it is well to be compelled to leave one's ers ? Who can satisfactorily explain this? chair now and then. The mere change of position, the slight relief to one set of overstrained muscles, the momentary exercise of others long kept inactive, all are good for the body, as the diversion of attention from what is immediately under the eye is for the mind. To go across In Mexico there are no hotels nor boardingthe room, to take down a heavy book from a houses, except in large cities where foreigners re- The direction of the wind in the usual observashelf and hold it in the hand while looking up side. As stage-coaches or other public conveyances tions gave an excess of 42 northerly and 23 westerly some little point, is exercise differing not in kind, are rare, the travel is mostly done on horseback. over the southerly and easterly, indicating the apOne but only in degree, from a walk of a mile. The saddle is generally mounted with gold or sil-proximate average west 61° 20' north, or more than returns to his writing rested and refreshed by it, ver, and richly ornamented. The rowels of the five points north of west, or N. W. by N. and the stimulus it gives to exertion soon makes spurs are as big as a silver dollar, but the points are It will be seen by the above observations that the up for the loss of time. very dull. The spur seems more intended to fright- temperature of the month was several degrees above en the horse than to hurt him. The Mexicans are the average, and yet the weather as a whole was expert riders, being so much in the saddle. more than usually disagreeable. One cause of this, In travelling quite a retinue of attendants is doubtless, was the small amount of sunshine. Durnecessary. You have to take along your bedding ing the past 16 years the average amount of fair obon a pack-mule, with servants to attend to the mules servations in March has been 48, while the past and the luggage, and a cook to prepare your meals. month gave only 31, the lowest number in the 16 In many parts of the country it is necessary to take years. The next lowest were 35 and 36 in 1865 and your provisions with you, and all the conveniences 1877; the highest number was 63 in 1869. for camping out. In some places it is difficult to we had only one third of the month fair, and only get drinking-water for yourself and your animals about five eighths the amount usual in March. On unless you buy it. the other hand, we had 20 observations rainy and A stylographic pen is an admirable contrivance for some kinds of work. Reporters, students taking notes of lectures, clerks who have to make entries or memoranda here and there in a large warehouse, and everybody who must write " on the wing," so to speak, find it extremely convenient to have pen and inkstand in one and always ready for use; but for a man writing steadily at his desk we believe that the relief to the muscles of the hand and arm in pausing to dip the pen into the inkstand is well worth the few seconds it takes. In the long run it may be just enough to save one from "writer's cramp' or pen-palsy." We have somewhere read or heard of a writer who kept his inkstand on another table, in order that he might be sure of rest to his fingers, and of some leg exercise withal, by having to walk across the room whenever he needed to recharge his pen. That was perhaps overdoing the thing, - or would be for most people, but the principle was a sound one, and should be kept ever in mind by sedentary work If you cannot reach a settlement at night, you snowy, and 42 cloudy and overcast, rendering much camp out; in a town, you can usually rent a room, of the month quite uncomfortable. entirely unfurnished, for the night. The servants Another cause was the large amount of northerly spread the bedding on the floor, purchase victuals and easterly winds, there being 78 observations of in the market, and prepare the meal in Mexican this class, and only 59 of the southerly and westerly; style. Bedsteads, tables, and chairs are luxuries and many of the former were quite severe and moist, known only to the wealthy among the native inhab- giving a chill to every one much exposed. itants. A still further cause may be suggested in the Butter the Mexicans do not know how to make. very low range of the barometer, only 29.623 inches, The sugar is a very crude article, inferior to our being the lowest of any month, with but two excepdarkest brown sugar, and is sold in little cones, tions (February and April, 1873, which were 29.430 weighing about a pound. Cheese is made in cones and 29.603), during the six years (1873-75, 78–80) of similar size, from goat's milk. Cow's milk is in my tables. Now a low barometer indicates a |