To George Washington from Richard Peters, 12 May 1796
From Richard Peters
Belmont1 [Pa.] 12. May 1796
Dear Sir
I have so long waited for the Answers to a Number of Queries, I proposed to several of our most intelligent Farmers, on the subject of Manures, & particularly the Gypsum; & have been so much disappointed in not receiving the requisite Information, that I cannot longer trespass on your Patience, by detaining Sr J. Sinclair’s Communications which I now return to you.2 Many of the Subjects are too amply discussed, to need any Additions. If any were necessary, American Farmers have made too little Progress in their Art, to teach those of Europe. Our Stercouries are in a rude state; and but few take any pains to improve them. Composts are rare. Native Manures, except Lime, Plaister & River Mud, little sought after. Perhaps I should add that Oyster Shells & Salt Sedge or Grass, are much used, as Manures, on our Sea Coasts. In the Neighborhood of Cities and Towns, the Manures produced in them are all used, some well applied, but generally without much Art or Management. Altho’ our Agriculture on our old Lands is much improved, it is yet in its Infancy. There is so much fresh Land to be had, that the worn Lands are frequently abandoned to what is called rest, or left in the hands of those who manage them (with however many Exceptions) but indifferently. The only Subject on which I could reasonably hope to afford any useful Information, was that of Plaister of Paris. For this Purpose I proposed the Queries I enclose to sundry of our Farmers, who appear to be averse from putting their Thoughts on Paper. I also send you the Answers of a Mr West (Brother to the celebrated Painter of that Name) who has effected wonderful Changes in his Farm, by Means of this Manure chiefly.3 His Farm is now a Garden tho’ it was a miserable sterile Waste. He is not singular in the successful Use of Plaister. It is now becoming very general, and is always productive of beneficial Effects, in greater or less degrees. Many of our Farmers who are within Reach of the Sea Ports, where they can purchase Plaister, are rapidly getting rich, by means of this Manure.
I must for the present, content myself with sending you the enclosed Answers to the Queries on this Subject. At a future Day, if I find any thing worthy of troubling you with, I will send any further Communications I receive, or Thoughts which are suggested from Conversations with our Farmers or my own Reflections.4 I am with sincere & respectful Esteem Your Obedt Servt
Richard Peters
I wish it were possible to get one or two Copies of the Surveys and Reports made to the Board of Agriculture of G. Britain. I want one for our Agricultural Society and one for myself. If they were to be purchased I would buy them. If you think it will not be laying yourself under Obligations or involving yourself in trouble I will be obliged to you to desire Sr J.S. to send one or two Copies. If any Expence attends it I will cheerfully pay it.
Copy, DLC:GW. GW’s note filed with this document identifies it and the enclosures as copies (see notes 3 and 4 below). He also wrote: “The originals were sent to Sir Jno. Sinclair” (see GW to John Sinclair, 12 June).
1. Belmont, the country estate and mansion of Peters, bordered the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia. The mansion is now within Fairmount Park in that city.
2. Peters returned Robert Somerville’s Outlines of the Fifteenth Chapter of the Proposed General Report from the Board of Agriculture. On the Subject of Manures (London, 1795), which GW had sent to him on 4 March. He also may have returned Extracts from the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Board of Agriculture, respecting Mr. Elkington’s Mode of Draining; together with Copies of such Papers as have been communicated to the Board upon that subject (London, 1795), which, like the Outlines, had been sent to GW with John Sinclair’s letters of 18 July 1795.
3. William West (c.1724–1808) was Benjamin West’s elder brother. In addition to farming, he represented Delaware County in the Pennsylvania House for a number of terms during the 1790s.
Peters wrote West: “The Gypsum Plaister of Paris according to a late Analysis of its component parts as declared in an English Work is said to be compounded of a Mineral Acid and a Calcareous Earth. The first an Enemy, the second friendly to Vegetation. According as the one or the other prevails it is said to be good or bad. It is said there to operate on virgin Soils with good Effect, but not on Grounds which have been long under Cultivation and especially those that have been limed. The result of your experience is requested on this particular Point. My Observations do not support this Assertion.” He then posed eleven specific questions and finished by encouraging “any miscellaneous Remarks founded on your Experience tho’ they may not be immediately applicable to the foregoing Queries.” A copy of West’s reply is filed with this letter to GW in DLC:GW.
4. A copy of Peters’s responses to the eleven questions and his miscellaneous observations is filed with this letter to GW in DLC:GW. Peters noted in his miscellaneous observations: “After all that can be said, we have much to learn on the Qualities and Effects of the Gypsum as it relates to Agriculture. It is a capricious and whimsical Substance” whose effects varied widely. Thoughts about the grinding of plaster and a test of its quality subsequently appear under the date 26 May. These additions presumably came after this letter to GW.