« substitutes for alkalies, in neutra- lizing the muriatic acid ga^s em- ployed in bleaching, &c. The patentee dirc6ls such calcareous earths to be calcined, pulverized, and sifted ; after which a certain portion of quick-lime, according to the degree of strength required, must be thrown into the vessel usually employed in the preparation of the bleaching liquor, for the pur- pose of retaining the oxygenated muriatic gas. When the ingredi- ents generally employed, namely, manganese and spirit of salt, have been introduced into the retort, and the gas begins to rise, the liquor contained in the receiver ought to be constantly agitated, so that the line particles of the lime may be diffused throughout the whole of such fluid ; for the succes-s of the process depends chiefly on this cii'- cumstancc. As soon as the man- ganese, or other material, ceases to yield the oxygenated muriatic acid gas, the whole should be suf- fered to remain at rest, for two or three hours ; after which the clear liquor must be decanted for use. Mr. T. farther observes, that if these calcareous earths be mecha- nicaUy suspended in water, or other aqueous fluid, they will unite with such acid gas, and form a com- pound that may be advantageously tniploytd in bleaching. The liquor, thus prepared, is not only a considerable saving in the article of ashes, but also the time usually required for bleaching is remarkably shortened. — A more diffuse account of this invention is given in the pth vol. of the " Re- pertortf of Arts," &c. BLEAK, ox Cyprinus alhurnus, L. a well-known scaly fish, inha- biting British streams, and being ftom G to Q iuche& in length. BLI [39^ Bleaks associate in large shoals : at certain seasons, they tumble about near the surface of the wa- ter, are incapable of swimming with any rapidity, and appear to be in great agony : they, however, speedily recover, and disappear.— Fish, thus affe6led, are denomi- nated mad bleaks. They are like- wise troubled with a species of gordlus, or hair-worm, which often proves fatal among them. The Bleak is reputed to be a de- licate fish, though it is chiefly va- lued on account of its scales ; which, by treating them in the manner already stated, vol. iii. p, 357, may be manufadured into Artificial Pearls. BLIGHT. — ^lliis being one of the most destruftive distempers to fruit-trees, we shall give an ac- count of the different remedies that have been proposed by Mr. Forsyth, both for its prevention and cure, according to the various causes from which it may origi- nate. Where the blight arises from long-continued easterly winds, the diseased tree ought to be washed with a mixture of urine and soap- suds : this operation must be per- formed as early as possible ; for the malady may thus be in a great measure prevented; but, if the young and tender shoots be greatly infe6ted, it will be advisable to cleanse them with a woollen cloth, dipped in the following liquor : Take lib. of tobacco, 2 lbs. of sul- phur, 1 peck of unslacked lime, and about lib. of elder-buds j let 10 gallons of boiling water be pour- ed on these ingredients into a hogs- head, which must now be closely covered, and the whole be suffered to become cool. The vessel is then to be filled up with cold water; and.
