Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/149

125&#93; ASH > ash, Pearl-ash, Barilla, fee.; of die preparation, and properties of which, we propose to treat under their respective heads. Confining-, therefore, our account to ashes, in their unchanged and crude state, we shall give the following descrip- tion of die different useful purposes to which they are subservient, in domestic and rural economy. About half a century ago, Dr. Francis Home, of Edinburgh, who may be considered as the ear- liest benefactor of the Scottish cot- ton manufactories, justly observed, in an ingenious treatise, entitled, Experiments in Bleaching, that the proper application of alkaline leys, is one of the most important and critical articles in Ijhe whole pro- cess of that art. This circumstance induced him to inquire, after the mathematical method of investi- gating truth, into the nature and composition of the several sorts of ashes used for this purpose. With due deference to the talents of his genius, that has apparently been misled on this early occasion, we cannot but regret that Dr. Home appears then to have been unac- quainted widi a strict analytical and synthetical investigation of na- tural bodies ; a mediod which, we venture to say, might have enabled him to anticipate many of the sub- sequent discoveries, made in che- mistry by the French, Swedish and Eritish philosophers of the anti- phlogistic school. He is, however, jusdy entitled to the praise and gra- titude of his countrymen ; among ^whom he greatly contributed to excite a spirit of research into the useful phenomena of natural bo- dies ; a spirit which has already proved highly beneficial to the ASH t>: community at large, and eminentiy conducive to the honour of tiiat rated University, in which he is now the oldest professor *. In the treatise before alluded to, the author Originally proposed the use of oil df vitriol, instead of the acids formerly used for bleaching linen, such as butter-milk, sour milk, infusions of bran, or rve- meal, &c. kept for some days, till they acquired a proper degree of acidity. He proved bv experi- ments, that the vitriolic acid is by no means injurious to die cloth ; is less expensive, more expeditious, and on all accounts equally, if not more, efficacious. Many and curious were the ex- periments which Dr. Home then instituted, on the different ashes j and from the result of which he concluded, that pearl-tzskes contain a pure alkaline salt, with a small proportion of v tartar and ent earth. In the composi- tion of Russian and Swedish ashes; he discovered a < "able quan- >f lime ; a discovery which amply evinced the wisdom of an of the British Legislature, which prohibited the use of lime in bleaching. For, though lime- r alone greatly contributes to white;: cloth, yet it is apt to render it much weaker ; but that alkaline 'i to lime, diminish its poicer of weakening and cor ending, in proportion to the quantity of ' d to the lime. This observation suggested to him a hint of supplying the Muscovy s, at home, by a preparation
 * : experience proved to answer

all the intended purposes of those ashes. After re;;; ated tvi::) e of dif- ferent proportions, die method of making
 * We believe he is near ni net y years of age.