Reference to the Engraving. Plate 9.

FIG. 1. A bedstead in perspective, exhibiting the general connection of the parts by hinges and bolts.

a a a a, the bolts beneath the rails, shooting into the posts.

Fig. 2. The hinge separate from the bedstead.

a, the

part which is firmly screwed into the rail. b, the dotted line, shows the relative situation of the joining of the post and rail, which is not immediately beneath the joint of the hinge. cc, the two oblong holes of the hinge, through which the catches pass, that retain the key, or wedge, in its place. d, the edge of the hinge, on a level with the elevation of the key, and which, by its angular form, increases its wedgelike action.

Fig. 3. The. plate which is permanently let in and screwed to the post beneath the hinge. e, e, the projecting catches of the plate, which pass through the oblong openings of the hinge cc, fig. 2, and behind which catches, the key falls down anterior to the hinge.

Fig. 4. The wedgelike key that falls behind the catches. This may be attached by a small chain to the post. Fig. 5. The hinge, when keyed.

Fig. 6. A small piece of brass, with a notch, screwed into the post; into which notch, a catch on the headboard, similar to one of those above mentioned, e, fig. 3, falls, and thus attaches it firmly: Four of these are necessary; or four small bolts, fixed in the headboard, may be employed in their place, to shoot into the posts.

N. B. The plates may be screwed to the bedstead by screws of a proper size, and having their heads made blue by the action of heat. This gives an additional or

nament to the brass plates. The plates themselves may be likewise rendered highly ornamental by fret work, or by bronzed figures, as lions' heads, &c. attached to them. It is proposed to apply a similar contrivance to connect the sides and bottoms of sophas, which will add to their beauty, and render them capable of being taken apart, as a bedstead. A bedstead on the above plan may be seen at Mr. Thomas's, cabinet maker, in fifth street, below Walnut.

No. 58.

An Experiment on Soap-Suds as a Manure. By Mr. GEORGE IRWIN; with Remarks by the Reverend THOMAS FALCONER.*

A FEW years ago my attention was attracted by the soil of a garden, reduced to a state of poverty very unfriendly to vegetation. Interest in its future produce influenced my wishes for its restoration. An invigorating manure was necessary; but such a stimulus could not be easily procured. While considering which of the succedanea within my reach had the greatest probable appearance of succeeding, it occurred, that possibly some trivial advantage might be derived from the oil and alkali suspended in the waters of a washing.† Pits were immediately ordered to be made, and in them the contents of a tub, which my servant usually committed to the common sewer, were carefully deposited: as washing succeeded

• Nicholson, vol. 20, p. 99. From Papers of the Bath and West of England Society, vol. 11, p. 261.

It is the common practice of some parts, at least, of the west of England, to use a lixivium, made by passing water through an appropriate strainer containing wood ashes, for the purpose of washing. This was probably the case here, though not mentioned by the author,

washing, other pits were dug and filled; so that the whole garden, a small portion only excepted, has in this manner been watered and enriched: that small portion remains a visible demonstration of the utility of this manure. There vegetation is still languid; while the residue of the garden, invigorated by the suds only, annually exhibits a luxuriance almost equal to any thing this fertile neighbourhood can produce. I am, &c.

GEORGE IRWIN.

Remarks by the Reverend THOMAS FALCONER.

t

1. The above important experiment may perhaps remind the reader of the principal ingredients of the oil compost, suggested by Dr. Hunter of York. In the simple fluid manure we have an animal oil, potash, and water; in the compost are the same oil and the same alkali, but neither of them, perhaps, in so pure a state as in the manure, with the addition of "fresh horse-dung." The fresh horse-dung is added, in order to produce "heat and fermentation; and a delay of "six months" is supposed to be necessary, to make the compost "fit for use." All, however, that seems to be gained by the horse-dung, is the animal oil, which may be united to the alkali during the process of fermentation, and the straw, which in the fermentation of the compost will bind the mass together, and when decomposed on the ground will afford a small supply of vegetable matter. If we make the comparison strictly accurate on the other side, we may observe, that in the fluid manure there must be an increased quantity of animal matter in the water, after it has been used for the purpose of washing linen.

The experiment then shows what is the advantage of the application of the oil and alkali only, as a manure, and perhaps the delay of "six months" in preparing the

compost would not be compensated by any superior efficacy, that may be expected to arise from the combination of the horse-dung.

It also appears from the experiment, that the compost is a more useful discovery than Dr. Hunter himself could justly infer from his own limited experience of its effects.

2. This mixture of an oil and an alkali has been more generally known than adopted, as a remedy against the insects which infest wall-fruit trees. It will dislodge and destroy the insects, which have already formed their nests and bred among the leaves. When used in the early part of the year, it seems to prevent the insects from settling upon them; but whether by rendering the surface of the leaf disagreeable to the bodies of the animals, and thus repelling them, or by neutralizing the acid they deposit, and thus preventing the leaf from contracting into a necessary form for their reception, I cannot presume to determine. One of the modes, by which this mixture indirectly contributes to the fertility of the ground, may be by its destruction of the insects, which prey upon the plants.

It is also, I think, to be preferred to the lime water, or the wood ashes and lime, which Mr. Forsyth recommends to be used for the removal of insects. It is preferable to the lime water and the lime, because lime loses its causticity, and with that its efficacy, by exposure to air, and must consequently be frequently applied; and to the dredging the leaves with the fine dust of wood ashes and lime, because the same effect is produced by the mixture without the same labour, and is obtained without expense.

Mr. Speechley, in his treatise on the Vine, published in 1796, has used this mixture with great success; but he has applied it awkwardly and wastefully. He directs it

to be poured from a ladder out of "a watering pot over both trees and wall, beginning at the top of the wall, and bringing it on in courses from top to bottom :" page 161. Mr. Speechley is not the first person who has thought of this application of the mixture. It is a fact which has been long known and neglected.

A considerable extent of wall may be washed by means of a common garden pump in a short time; and this operation should be repeated as often as a supply of the mix. ture can be procured; or if the water of a washing cannot be had, a quantity of potash of commerce dissolved in water may be substituted.* The washing of the trees and wall twice a week for three or four weeks in the spring will be sufficient to secure them from the injuries of these insects.

On the whole, then, this must be considered as a valuable manure, as it can be obtained easily, at small expense, and in large quantities; and, when its nature is well understood, will probably be no less esteemed by the farmer than horse dung. To the gardener, as well as to the farmer, it is useful, mixed with mould, as a fertilizing compost; or, when fluid may be applied to his fruit-walls, as a wash fatal to the noxious brood of predatory insects.

THOMAS FALCONER,

No. 59.

On the Revival of an Obsolete Mode of managing Strawberries. By the Right Honourable Sir JOSEPH BANKS, Bart. K. B. P. R. S. &c.t

THE custom of laying straw under strawberry plants, when their fruit begins to smell, is probably very old in

• Mr. Speechley uses his mixture warm, to soak the shreds, and wash the wall, more effectually.

† Nicholson, vol. 19, p. 95. From the Transactions of the Horticultural Socię. ty, vol. 1, part i, p. 54.