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AMERICAN FARMER.

to adduce facts in answer to "does there or does there not exist in nature a farmer's house." your question, fed by his machine, 66 are abundant in every cheap and common solvent which can be applied my conjectures if ashes, salt, and perhaps lime, would be much lessened, and the operation so I shall be much mistaken in swer the purpose; in that case the expense Perhaps the simple muriate of lime would an to flax, in mass, by operative farmers?" Feel-with vegetable acid or sour milk are not the prin- simplified as to render it convenient to be used ing like yourself, confident that "the thing de- cipal constituents of his secret! sired can be done," and, although possessed of no data derived from experiments, as you have lieve, either combined or separate, afford the my power, to institute a course of experiments The substances used in bleaching will, I beby operative farmers. desired my opinion on the subject I shall sub- best solvent within our knowledge, for the ob- agreeably to your suggestions, and which your I should feel extremely happy, Sir, was it in mit a few remarks which will pass for what ject in view; and acids are considered of pri-partiality supposes me capable of performing; they may be worth. The candour and liberality manifested by Mr. formerly produced by the fermentation of rye with preparations for an expected absence from mary and indispensible importance; they were but a pressure of domestic avocations, together Dey, and the spirit with which he pursues his meal or bran—sour milk was also used as exten-home, of some months continuance in the auobject, are to be admired; but admitting that sively as it could be obtained. But it has been tumn, wholly preclude such attempts. At the his most sanguine expectations will be realized found that a weak solution of sulphuric acid an-same time I beg you to rest assured that I shall in the successful operation of his machines for swers the same purpose-is more convenient always feel ambitious, to the extent of my abi separating the fibre or harle from the stem of and much cheaper. Oil of vitriol in a highly lity, to co-operate for the promotion of RURA! the plant, yet the very important process of concentrated state is now manufactured in Bos- ECONOMY, with one who has devoted so great a cleansing it from the glutinous matter remains ton, and sold at not more than eight cents per portion of life for the advancement of the subto be performed, and the question occurs, not this be done, in the large way as cheap, and cient to acidulate two hundred gallons of water. can-pound-one pound of which is said to be suffi-stantial interests of his country. with much less hazard by common farmers with It is probable however that five pounds to that the raw stem, as with the fibres after they are quantity of water, if thoroughly mixed, would With respectful and sincere attachment, separated?" I am inclined to believe that it not injure the material and accelerate the pro- His Ex'y OLIVER Wolcott, I remain, sir, your obd't serv't, can. The only objection is the expense and cess. S. W. POMEROY. incovenience of managing a more bulky arti

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Litchfield, Con.

Extract of a letter from J. F. Dana, Professor
of Chemistry in Dartmouth College, to the Edi-
tor, dated, Sept. 17, 1822.
DEAR SIR,

cle; but will not the dressed flax require equal preparation of flax by the usual method of When we reflect upon the rationale of the labour in dividing it into minute parcels for the steeping in water, it appears that it is the acid cleansing process, and uncommon care in hand-produced by the acetous fermentation that disling and drying to prevent immense waste? By solves the glutinous matter; the mere act of applying the solvent to the stem, it is reasonable fermentation has no other effect than to give to suppose that the " weakened to such a degree that much less pow-by eminent bleachers in Great Britain when ed in your paper, which I received yesterday.woody fibre" would be motion to the liquid, as has been demonstrated tween Gov. Wolcott and Mr. Pomeroy, containI was pleased with the correspondence beer will be required to separate it, and of course comparing the effect of sulphuric acid with that The subject is one of great importance to the less complicated and expensive machines. It is not probable that the end we are seek-steeping, the putrid fermentation which rapidly produced by fermentation. It is true that by country. ing will be efficiently attained without the aid of follows the acetous, hastens the operation and arating the glutinous matter from flax is sugheat. Steam even from pure water is a most more readily decomposes the woody fibre, but gested by Gov. Wolcott, and probably might be The application of steam as a means of seppowerful solvent; and I have great faith that with manifest injury to the material! Now it employed with the most decided advantage with a proper menstruum, it may be success- requires ten or fourteen days to prepare flax but will it destroy the coloring matter? probafully applied by common farmers. I am led to by steeping, when done in cool weather as it bly not; and the use of steam generated from this conclusion by its operation with a perfectly should be; if this can be effected in half as alkaline solutions seems to be forbidden by the simple apparatus in washing clothes-by far the many hours with sulphuric acid, even with the suggestion of Mr. Pomeroy, that alkaline leys greatest and most economical improvement yet expense of heat, may it not be the cheapest sol- destroy a cellular oil on which the delicate softdiscovered to disarm washing day of its terrors. vent? It consists of a pot or boiler with a close cover into which a tin or leaden tube is inserted, and a cellular oil in flax, which an alkaline ley des- be employed? The objections to its use in comIt should be kept in view, that there is a why chlorine or oxymuriatic acid gas may not ness of the flax depends. I wish to inquire, tub or box with a similar cover. after being wet and a little soap rubbed on the linen yarn that has been boiled in it-the de-ching flax. Permit me to suggest its applicaThe clothes, stroys; this is apparent from the harshness of mon bleaching will not apply to its use in bleamost soiled parts of them, are laid upon slates or composition of this oil may be necessary to the tion in the following way. shelves in the tub or box, the tube is then con- completely bleaching of fine goods, but it is im- apparatus for steaming the flax be prepared nected with it, and the boiler nearly filled with portant to retain it for sail cloth as not only into the boiler from which the steam is genewater mixed with a weak solution of potash or rendering it soft and pliable, but as a preserva- this is effected merely by bringing the oxygenaLet a convenient ley from the leach tub, a fire is put under the tive against mildew. The steam from such ley ted muriatic gas into contact with these earths in boiler late in the afternoon, it boils during the however, is supposed not to produce that effect. form of lumps, pieces, powder or paste, or into evening and is left simmering till morning, when the clothes are taken out; and they must agent now used for bleaching, may be succéss-bodies in the above forms, as do not impede or Whether the oxi-muriate of lime, the principal contact with mixtures of them, with such other have been very foul to require any more labour fully applied as a solvent to the raw stem of hinder their attraction for the acid. It has been than rinsing once or twice to make them per- flax, can be determined only by experiments; found that the oxygenated muriates of lime, and fectly clean. Now this process is managed by the materials for forming it are abundant and of the earths mentioned above, thus formed, common house maids! What is to prevent them, cheap. A formula I met with some yeas ago, when mixed with water, possess the power of the wives and daughters of farmers and even requires 60 lbs. of finely powdered quick lime and removing colour from linen, cotton, and various farmers themselves from attending to a similar 30 lbs. of common salt to be mixed with 140 other vegetable and animal substances, and have process on a large scale? I apprehend no dan-gallons of water in the receiver; into the dis-been profitably applied for that purpose. See ger from steam, in fixing any stain or colour that tilling vessel is put 30 lbs. of salt, with 30 lbs. Repertory of Arts, vol. xii. p. 1, sec. series. may be communicated by the plant. We will not inquire for a menstruum within 30 lbs. of oil of vitriol, diluted with the same in of manganese, which are to be well mixed, and the reach of "common farmers," and it will weight of water, turned on. not be necessary for the present object to com- great improvements have been made of late-muriate of lime should injure the texture of the If we mistake not, Sir Humphrey Davy, bine the bleaching process, though it may fol- that it is prepared in the dry way which ren-material to be bleached; and he therefore preBut I am told that there is danger lest the costic powers of oxyone of his lectures has intimated low in a considerable degree. observe that there was an important omission bleachers at a very cheap rate.* I would here ders it conveniently portable, and is sold to the fers magnesia as one of the ingredients of bleachin copying my Essay for the press, in quoting fom the transactions of the Swedish Academy, of the application of birch ashes spread between Bleaching Powder, according to as late an im-ter, or salt in solution with water, would be ing powder to lime. Simple muriate of lime, as * The substance of this mode of preparing heriment, and perhaps lime slacked with sea wahe layers of flax before the salt water was turn-provement as any we have seen, is as follows: recommended by Mr. Pomeroy, deserves ex ted on for boiling. Should such a process be found beneficial, sea water heaply imitated in the interior country. can be easily and ing a compound with calcareous earth, and with and in every case to thoroughly rince the goods Oxygenated muriatic acid is capable of form- apply caustic substances of too great strength. found useful. Care however is necessary not to Mr. Dey asserts that the materials he has the dry way, that is, without these earths being ing substance, of the nature above described. the earths barytes, strontites, and magnesia, in in pure water after every application of a bleach discovered for cleaning and bleaching flax dress either suspended, or dissolved in water, and En. N. E. F

that

do I know that it has not been tried, and found other matter used to reduce the friction.

rated, introduce a convenient vessel of sheet] The nave box being of any of these forms, so judgment joined to it, you would be liable to ead which shall contain the materials from small a part of its surface will come in contact disappointment. If it be your determination to which chlorine gas is produced, viz. sulphuric with the axle, that the wheel will revolve much remove into a new country, I believe there is acid, maganese and common salt. Now when more freely, and with less friction than in the none so eligible as this, on many accounts. Of heat is applied to the boiler to produce steam, present cylindrical boxes, where the axle and your own qualifications as to purse or manual the leaden vessel which it contains and which box are nearly in contact with each other all powers, you are the best judge. Without some is surrounded by water, will be also heated; round. resource in the former, you must depend wholly steam, and chlorine gas will be formed at the on the latter. Land may be purchased in plenThe patentee does not confine himself to any same time; the former will dissolve the gluti-regular form, but claims to make the interior anty at the government price of $1 25 cents per nous matter, and the latter will destroy the co-gles of the box with blunted or rounded corners; from 3 to 4. The prices of produce are exaere; but near the settlement it may be worth lour, and both will pervade every part of the or to use cylindrical boxes with longitudinal ribs, apparatus. Experiment alone must decide whe-to reduce the surface of the contact, and leave tremely low. Indian corn was sold last year ther this suggestion is practically useful; nor interstices for the reception of the grease, or at 183 cents per bushel; wheat at 50 cents per bushel, and beef at 3 and $4 per cwt.; pork To this improvement in the construction of the at $2 and 21. Great quantities of the two latThe muriate of lime, suggested by Mr. P. has carriage body, instead of boarding the roof or ter articles were taken to New Orleans, where no powers in bleaching, and it is stated by some pannelling up the back and upper quarters as ble that prices at home will be advanced the they found so good a market, that it is probawriters, that it very much weakens the texture usual, he proposes to leave them open, or in ribs, ensuing season. We have a grateful soil, which and to close the space with shutters, doors, or flaps, with rebates on their edges; and these flaps depending much on the prices of produce for supplies our chief wants; therefore we are not hinges, so as to be enabled to swing. The exter-a subsistence; when these improve, as will nal joints of the rebates are covered by slips of probably be the case, I trust we shall be preAnother machine has been invented by Sam- metal screwed down, which may be displaced pared to avail ourselves of them. uel Davidson, of Romulus, N. Y. for dressing when required. The improvements are pro- Wishing you success, I am yours, &c. flax. Its whole cost, including the patent posed to be added to old carriages of any descripright, is only forty dollars. It has been tried tion.

useless.

of linen.

FLAX.

J. F. DANA,

or shutters are attached to the frame work on

FROM THE BOSTON PATRIOT.

THE SEASON.-Boston.

M. BERKBECK."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE AMERICAN FARMER..
SIR,
Moorefield, September, 1822.

be communicated to the public, I have resolved to make it the means of conveying to it the following observations and facts. Would it not be a politic measure for Congress, to enact a law rendering it obligatory upon the mail carriers to convey specimens of earths, ores, or vegetable sub

by many of the most respectable farmers. An improvement in the construction of the They estimate the saving in labour at three perch and wings of carriages is also proposed, fourths, and the saving in flax at one fifth, cum-which consists in the use of bent timbers, instead pared with the common mode; while it leaves of cutting the perch and wings across the grain I have long desired that the knowledge of the the texture of the thread unbroken. By the use of straight wood, in a curved form. In some car-natural resources of our country, should be more of this machine the process of rotting may be riages he makes the seat fold up into boxes by extensively and universally diffused, and considdispensed with, as it will answer for dressing joining all the parts with hinges of metal or lea-ering your paper as an important channel, through the flax either with or without rotting. ther; and proposes to attach these folding seats which information and suggestions, that have a This improvement promises to be extensive-to carriages as additions, concealed by folding to- tendency to advance this important object, may ly useful-its price is so small that every gether into shallow boxes. neighbourhood may easily have a machine. Flax is an article of easy cultivation and great product, if the process of rotting and usual way of cleaning it can be dispensed with, and must become an important staple to the people of the interior for home use, and transport to the We are informed that rain was never more stances from the mountainous and unfrequented seaboard, &c. A pound of flax may be carried heartily desired, or more needed, by our parts of our extensive country, to the more popuany given distance as readily as a pound of corn, pork, &c. The cost of transportation will be country brethren, than at the present moment. lous cities, where there are scientific gentlemen the same; but the amount of that cost as to In every direction, the brooks and springs are who are capable of estimating their value, and the relative value of the article, will be es- very low, and in some instances entirely dried willing to communicate the same to the commusentially different. The seed too, if crushed and up. In several of the towns that we have heard nity at large ?* By adopting this measure, and inmade into oil, will always find a ready market, ficient water for their cattle. Notwithstanding be obtained, a spirit of investigation would be exfrom, the farmers find it difficult to procure suf-creasing the sources from whence information may and better pay charges for carriage than any sort of provisions that our farmers can raise in the excessive drought, however, it is expected cited among those, who on account of their own the interior. Oil mills may be erected at a of either fruit or vegetables, as they have, for others to gratify their curiosity, now remain enthere will be no serious deficiency in the crops incapacity, and the impossibility of obtaining small expense, and would yield large profits to their owners, if the supply of seed were abun-the most part, already attained their growth.-tirely indifferent and inactive. And thus would Of apples, there is a great abundance-the the necessity be superceded of importing at an dant, in any part of our country west of the trees were never, to our recollection, so gene-enormous expense a number of articles which we mountains. We feel both publickly and personally inter-rally overloaded; and, since water is so scarce, consider exoticks, but which are in reality the ested in the cultivation of flax and the use of we may reasonably expect that the cider that spontaneous growth of our soil. It is true that is now making, will be of an unadulterated kind: the enaction of this law might render the post-offlaxen goods-publickly, because it will add In fact, we were informed, by a farmer, a day fice establishments more subject to impositions, much to the national prosperity; privately, because we cannot have good paper without flax-or two since, whom we saw attending a cider yet I apprehend it would be practicable to make mill, aud asked what quantity of water he a provision, limiting the quantity that should be en rags to make it of. should put into each barrel, that he could bet-received, so that it should not incommode the ter spare three buckets of the pure liquor than post-masters, or retard the expedition of the one of water! We may therefore expect that mail-carrier.

Niles Register.

good cider will be brought into our market, in The Woad seed you favoured me with, is well From the London Monthly Magazine of Februa-large quantities, and afforded at a reasonable adapted in its nature to our soil, though I am not

ry, 1822.

WHEEL CARRIAGES.

A patent has been granted in England to a Mr. Marsh for improvements on wheel carriages.

price..

FROM THE ALEXANDRIA HERALD.

Wanboro, Illinois, July 9, 1822. "Sir-In reply to your favour of May 2nd, I cannot give you much encouragement either as

informed whether it is an useful ingredient in coloring in any other state than the greent. If so

If the Editor may credit the assurance of numerous intelligent Agriculturists, in all parts of the Union, he has rendered great service to the cause, by the distribution of seeds, grain, &c. &c. in parcels, of only half an ounce, the limit of his

These improvements may be considered as of two parts: first, the form of the interior of the nave-box of the wheel, and, second, by the mode of attaching the pannels of the carriage to the a schoolmaster, or a surveyor. Both those de- franking privilege. Yet Congress so far from frame work. partments are fully occupied. As a cultiva- extending, at the last session threatened to destroy The patentee proposes to make the interior oor of the land, there is room plenty; but with- even this limited power of doing service to agri the box triangular, square, or polygonal, instead out capital, it is a laborious occupation; and culture. of cylindrical, as heretofore.

with capital, unless great industry and some! The Editor will take an opportunity.

FOR THE AMERICAN FARMER.

NO FICTION.
AGRICULTURE..

FOR THE AMERICAN FARMER.

THE ROLLER;
ITS USE AND IMPORTANCE.
MR. SKINEER,

I am ignorant in what manner to preserve it or what is its intrinsic value. The Bene received from you did not vegetate. I have made an experiment with the Palma Christi, it comes to great perfection in our most productive land; I I visited and spent a day at Mr. Slemson's have raised between 35 and 40 bushels, on a small farm in the township of Galloway, Saratoga Looking accidently into the Encyclopedia enclosure containing about 2 acres, and have not county, New York. His tract of land or farm Britanica, at the article Agriculture, I found yet finished gathering them. Our season has contains about 350 acres, of which he cultivates, the annexed passage, which you may think been extremely dry, more so, than any other as yet, only between 80 and 100 acres which deserves to be inserted in your paper, as I within the remembrance of our oldest inhabi- are laid off into 8 acre lots. do myself, because we suffer in this part of tants, had it been favourable, I should have been He has certificates of premiums from the the country, from frequent droughts, and the amply compensated for my labour with a crop of Agricultural Society of that county. relief alluded to in this article is not generalFor having the best managed farm in the ly known, though certainly no recent invention The Senna grows in vast quantities, without county. or discovery.* any cultivation, on the fertile banks of our For having raised 62 bushels of barley from Your obedient serv't, streams, it is an extremely noxious herb and disa- one acre. THOMAS W. GRIFFITH TH. greeable to the taste, of all description of animals. For having raised 4 tons Timothy hay per Some gentleman who is acquainted with its na-acre from a lot of 8 acres, and he took the pains The roller is an instrument of capital use in ture, would confer a favour upon me, by direct-to weigh the hay from one of those acres four husbandry, though scarcely known in ordinary ing in what manner it should be preserved, and days after it was cut, and found it to weigh 5 practice." In the first place, rolling renders at what season and stage it should be gathered, tons and 324 lbs.

about 20 bushels to the acre.

and what would be its probable value. Ă suffici- For having raised 104 bushels of corn to the encourages the growth of plants, by making ency grows upon our streams, perhaps, to supply acre. the whole United States.

I have grown the rhubarb for many years, the root grows well in our bottom land, but the seed does not come to perfection. I have taken up one root of three years old, that weighed five pounds

green.

Yours with Esteem,

ABEL SEYMOUR.

FOR THE AMERICAN FARMER.

Prince Georges county,
Sept. 20th, 1822.

DEAR SIR,

}

For having raised 357 bushels potatoes from half an acre.

a loose soil more compact and solid; which the earth clap close to every part of every root. Nor need we be afraid of rendering the soil too compact; for no roller that can be drawn by two or four horses will have that effect. In His method for raising Potatoes is, the next place ROLLING KEEPS IN THE MOISHe opens a furrow 2 feet 9 inches apart, TURE, AND HINDERS DROUGHT TO PENETRATE. plants 10 inches apart; hoes or hills them one This effect is of great moment. In a dry season If you should think my observations worth 2 inches, as soon as they shew themselves about no crop, especially where the soil is light.” way only; plants them shallow, namely about it may make the difference of a good crop of printing, you may do so. I will send a box of Sen-3 inches above the ground he covers about 2 na to Baltimore, to be inspected. inches of them, in 8 or 10 days, or when the tops * Allow me to take this opportunity to recomare about 6 inches high, he spreads the tops mend to all road makers, the use of an instruopen, and hoes and covers them again to about ment of the kind alluded to, that is, a roller, 2 inches, and when grown up again to about to press down the materials employed in ma6 inches, he hoes and covers them as before. king roads, before the same is travelledBy this process he thinks it possible that 1000 practice which was successfully adopted, on my bushels may be raised from one acre of ground. suggestion, by the President and managers of His method for raising of corn, is the Turnpike from Baltimore towards York in I do not recollect to have seen in your paHe has a machine that crosses the ridges, Pennsylvania some years ago. per, a cure for the disease to which dogs are he plants 3 to a hill, the ridges or hills are subject, commonly called the distemper. about 2 feet 6 inches apart. He succours after Although I am a professed enemy to curs, the second ploughing-he cuts the stalk and biped and quadruped, yet I confess I feel blades together close to the ground. The avergreat respect for some dogs, and take plea- age product is 4 ears to a hill, the corn weighs BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1822. sure in relieving them from a malady which 60 to 62 lbs. to the bushel. let alone, or injudiciously treated, becomes fa- His general method of farming is to lay off PRICES OF COUNTRY PRODUCE. his land into lots of 6 to 10 acres, each lot is The cure is simple and certain. To a dog manured once in four or five years; his usual Corn is down again to 64 cents-Red Wheat, eight months old, give 4 grains of Turbeth's quantity is 8 wagon loads with 4 horses to each from $1 20 to $1 30-White Wheat, fit for famimineral, in gruel or any thing else in which acre-first year is in grass-second in corn- ly flour has sold for $1 45-Ohio tobacco has sold it will mix. Keep him from cold water 24 third in barley-fourth in wheat, spring or win-for $12 50.-The agent through whom the prihours, then give 4 grains of crocus metallorum, ter wheat, with clover and timothy, 5 lbs. clo-ces of country produce are collected, being inand turn him out. I have never known this ver and 2 quarts timothy per acre, the nor-disposed, we are compelled to omit other artiremedy to fail. thern or late clover he prefers-he mows his cles-we find the following in the shape of a Do me the favour to insert in your paper, timothy for two years, pastures it one year, in postcript, in this day's National Intelligencerin any form most convenient to yourself, the the fourth year he turns down the sod, puts we further learn that Mr. Murdock of London, following:in wheat on the sod-1st and 2d corn, 3d barley well known in Maryland, writes of Tobacco, that or spring or winter wheat, and stocks it down it is "plenty every where, and in demand no as before. where."

tal to thousands.

The drought in this part of the country is dreadful. I am sure the tobacco crop is lessened one half at least, and I think the corn four-fifths.

tion.

THE FARMER.

POSTCRIPT.

The Editor of this paper wishes to procure for a friend some tobacco seed of the kind called bull face-there are two kinds of Mr Slemson remarked, he has a field used as pasture, and what he intends turning down the TO THE EDITORS-NORFOLK, September 23. this tobacco, the thickset, and the thinset, "Letters from Liverpool of the 9th and 10th for each of these kinds, if delivered before sod, roll it well, give it a top dressing of maof August, received by the Philip Tabb, states, next spring, and assured of their being genu-nure, plough it the second time on the sod, maine, the Editor will pay five dollars a pound. nure it again, put it into wheat, harrow it in, that the prices of Tobacco have not been solow and expects to make 35 to 40 bushels per acre. for two years as at the time above mentioned.The following is his product from 100 acres The following is an extract of one in particularas reported from actual survey and examina-100 hhds. of fair to good Kentucky tobacco, and 30 hhds. of ordinary Virginia, just imported 10 acres having 400 apple trees on them, profrom Philadelphia, were sold, in a lot, two days duced 25 tons hay-8 acres corn 560 bushels since, at $27 16 cents. This will not produce We invite the particular attention of our rea-8 acres do. 720-10 do. do. 300 and 16 tons of more than $3 25 cents to the shipper and the exders to the following account of the extraordinary hay-4 do. wheat, 140 bushels-1 do. flax, 600 change. productiveness of a farm in New York-we re- lbs.-8 do. oats, 560 bushels-8 do. hay, 32 tons collect to have been urged to visit it, when at-8 do. do. 36 do.-1 do. barley, 60 bushels Saratoga Springs, in 1821, and now even more 3 do. hay, 10 tons-4 do. do. 12 do.-8 do do. than then regret that we omitted to do so. Theme-24 do.-2 acres 1000 bushels potatoes-2 acres moranda now communicated, were made by a gen-in vegetables, which also raised 400 chickens. tleman of the first respectability, in this city. His wheat cost him 30 cents per bushel corn 15 do. do.

Editor Am. Farmer.

"Cotton continues very low, and is rather declining at 7 d. to 84d. for fair to good fair. Upland ordinary goes at 7d. and fine sometimes as high as 9d."

PUBLISHED BY JOHN S. SKINNER.
PRINTED BY J. ROBINSON.

No. 28.-VOL. 4.

AMERICAN FARMER.-BALTIMORE, 4th OCTOBER, 1822.

HORTICULTURE.

POMARIUM BRITANNICUM,

An Historical and Botanical account of Fruits, known in Great Britain, by Henry Philips, (Continued from page 205.)

-Second Edition.

217

ish evergreen, it contrasts well with the laurellis of all others the most wholesome, the ciand other shrubs of that nature. The flowers are tron-tree, called the Assyrian tree, and by some herbaceous, and, if viewed with a microscope, the Median-apple: the fruit is a counterpoison, would be found a most beautiful model, either and singular antidote against all venom; the for the jeweller, or the ornamental sculptor. leaves," he says, "are like the arbutus, and it Juniper berries, used by distillers to flavour hath thorns." "The pome citron," he contitheir gin, are principally brought from Hol-nues, "is not good to be eaten as a fruit, but land and Italy. These berries are carminative; is very odoriferous, as are the leaves, which but their most remarkable properties are, in are used to be put in wardrobes among apparel, Scouring the viscera, and particularly the reins to give a perfume, and to keep off moths and and urinary passages, for which reason they spiders." "This tree," he adds, "bears fruit at are of great service in asthmas, cachexies, the all times of the year, for when some fall, In Botany, a Genus of the Monacia Polyandria jaundice, colic, the stone of the bladder and others begin to mellow, and some to blossom. Class.

HAZEL-CORYLUS ;

OR NUT-TREE,

kidneys, as also crudities of the stomach. The Many have tried to transplant the trees into The common hazel-nut is found growing wild oil of juniper berries is a very stimulating diu- their own country; and for this purpose they in most parts of Europe, as also in every part retic: the decoction, inspisated to the consisten-have had pots made, and enclosed them well of England. It is never cultivated for the sake cy of a rob, or extract, has a pleasant, balsam- with earth; but for all the care and pains taken of the nut, which is considered unwholesome, ic, sweet taste. This extract may be used with about them, to make these trees grow in other being hard of digestion, and causing shortness advantage, as in catarrhs, debility of the stom-countries, yet would they not forget Media and of breath and wheezing. Many young people ach and intestines, and difficulties of the uri-Persia, and liking no other soil, would soon have suffered by eating too freely of this fruit;nary excretions, in persons of advanced age. Etmuller had a vast opinion of juniper ber- Virgil, in his Second Georgic, has elegantly and it has caused the death of several who have ries. The rob, made of the expressed juice of described this fruit, and it's supposed medical taken immoderately of it. The pleasure of nutting parties is well the green berries, has been called by many powers against spells and poison. known in this country, and much enjoyed by theriaca Germanorum, so much are they es

Thomson:

die.

the rustics: it is thus beautifully described by teemed by that nation for their alexipharmic Media fert tristes succos tardumque saporem qualities. In many parts of Germany, they are Felicis mali: quo non præsentius ullum used as a culinary spice, and the flavour of (Pocula si quando sœvæ infecere noverca Ye swains, now hasten to the hazel bank, these berries is esteemed in their sauer kraut. Miscueruntque herbas, et non innoxia verba) Where down yon dale the wildly winding brook The heathcock of Germany is not eatable in Auxilium venit, ac membris agit atra venena. Falls hoarse from steep to steep. In close array, the autumn, being so strongly flavoured with Ipsa ingens arbos, faciemque simillima lauro: Fit for the thickets and the tangling shrub, juniper berries, on which this bird feeds. The Et si non alium late jactaret odorem, Ye virgins, come. For you their latest song wood of this shrub is also of use in physic, as Laurus erat: folia haud ullis labentia ventis : The woodlands raise; the clustering nuts for you it strengthens the stomach, clears the lungs, Flos apprime tenax: animas et olentia Medi The lover finds amid the secret shade; removes obstructions of the viscera, and is fur-Ora fovent illo, et senibus medicantur anhelis. And where they burnish on the topmost bough, ther said to be sudorific, cephalic, and hysteric. Sharp tasted citron Median climes produce, With active vigour crushes down the tree; So much is the flavour of the berries admired Bitter the rind, but gen'rous is the juice; Or shakes them ripe, from the resigning husk, by the lower order of the inhabitants of the me-A cordial fruit, a present antidote A glossy shower. tropolis, that it would be difficult to name any Against the direful stepdame's deadly draught, These nuts are not much used in medicine, complaint, that they would not be afflictedwith, Who, mixing wicked weeds with words impure, but the cream of them is good for the stone, for the sake of a plentiful supply of this cor-The fate of envied orphans would procure. and heat of urine; emulsions made of them dial. Large is the plant, and like a laurel grows, In Sweden, the juniper-berries are made in- And, did it not a diff'rent scent disclose, with mead, are recommended for old dry coughs. to a conserve, and eaten at breakfast. A laurel 'twere: the fragrant flow'rs contemn Quercentan gave a drachm of the powder of Swedes also prepare a beverage from them, The stormy winds, tenacious of their stem; nut-shells, mixed with an equal quantity of which they consider useful as a medicine. In With this, the Medes to lab'ring age bequeath prepared coral, in a glass of the water of carduus some places they are roasted, and used as a New lungs, and cure the sourness of the breath. substitute, for coffee. Dryden. benedictus, or corn poppy, in the pleurisy. The wood of the hazel-tree is used for ma- Gerard says, in his 3d book, "Divers in The lemon-tree appears to have been cultiking hoops for casks, hurdles, crates, sprin- Bohemia do take, instead of other drinke, the gles to fasten down thatch, fishing rods, &c.; water wherein these berries have been steep-vated in this country as early as the reign of James the First, as Lord Bacon mentions the it is also burnt for charcoal; and in the country ed, who live in wonderful good health." The wood of the juniper-tree is very hard, housing of hot country plants, as lemons, oranwhere yeast is scarce, they twist the slender branches of hazel together, and steep them in beautifully veined, susceptible of a very high po- ges, and myrtles, to save them.

JUNIPER.-JUNIPERUS.

LEMON.-LIMON.-CITRUS.

The

In Botany, of the Class Polyadelphia Icosandria;
Natural Order, Bicornes.

In some parts of Devonshire, lemon-trees ale yeast during its fermentation: they are then lish, and is admired, when used as veneering| hung up to dry, and at the next brewing are put for cabinet furniture, being fragrant, and of a are trained to the walls, and require no other yellow colour. Pliny says, into the wort instead of yeast. "the juniper has care than to cover them with straw or mats the same properties as the cedar," adding, during the winter. Earl Paulet presented some "that it grew in Spain to a great size, but that of these lemons to his late Majesty upwards of wherever it grows, the heart is found more forty years ago, which grew in the garden of In Botany, a Genus of the Diacia Monadel-sound than cedar." It has been said, that a coal his sister, Lady Bridget Bastard, of Garston. phia Class. Natural Order, Coniferæ. of juniper wood, covered with ashes of the same The lemon-tree is of a much hardier nature than the orange; it is therefore brought to The earliest mention of the juniper-tree will kind, will keep on fire a whole year. greater perfection in this country than the lat be found in the first book of Kings, about 906 ter fruit. Lemons have long been propagated years before the Christian era, when the prowith success in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the phet Elijah took refuge in the wilderness of South of France, as well as in the West-India Beersheba, to avoid the persecution of King islands. The lemons of St. Helena are the most Ahab. "He went a day's journey into the wilThis fruit derives its name from the Greek esteemed, growing larger, and of a milder flowderness, and came and sat down under a juniper-tree: And as he lay and slept under a juni-word yv, which signifies a meadow, because er than other kinds. This fruit is now become almost necessary in per-tree, behold then an angel touched him, the leaves and the fruit, before they are ripe, culinary purposes, as well as being an article are of the colour of a spring meadow. and said unto him, Arise and eat." The lemon and the citron-tree are natives of luxury in a variety of shapes: it makes an The juniper is also a native of most of the cold mountainous parts of Europe. Gerard of Asia, from whence they were brought into excellent sweetmeat when cleared of it's pulp, says, "The common juniper-tree grows, in some Greece and Italy. They appear to have been and prepared with clarified syrup. Lemonade parts of Kent, unto the bigness and stature of a well known to the Romans in the days of Pli- and lemon ices are as well known in the present fair great tree." It is found growing wild in ny, although they had failed in the cultivation day as punch was in the last age. The yellow considerable quantities on many parts of the of them, as that author informs us in his 13th peel of the lemon is an agreeable aromatic; and, Sussex and Surrey hills, from whence it is often book, chap. iii., where he says, speaking of in cold phlegmatic constitutions, it proves an extransplanted into shrubberies. Being of a blu-foreign trees, "I will begin with that, which cellent stomachic and carminative, warming

218

the habit and strengthening the tone of the viscera.

The shaddock-trec: Aurantium Fructu maximo Indie Orientalis.

LOVE-APPLE.-SOLANUM ;
OR, TOMATO-BERRY.

This fruit is also a species of the citrus, and In Botany, a Genus of the Pentandria MonogyLemons are cooling and grateful to the stomnia Class. Natural Order, Lurida. ach, allaying thirst, increasing appetite, and are takes its name from Captain Shaddock, who first The love-apple, or tomato, is the fruit of the useful in fevers, even malignant and pestilen-brought it from the East Indies, where it is tial. The juice, mixed with salt of wormwood, a native. It is now cultivated in the West In-lycopersion, an herbaceous branching plant, or is an excellent medicine to stop vomiting, and dies, where the fruit often grows to the size of vine, with a hairy stem, and a rank smell. It is a native of South America, and in all proto strengthen the stomach. The efficacy of twenty inches in circumference, and is known lemon-juice in preventing the sea-scurvy, has to yield near half a pint of clear juice. It is bability of Mexico; from whence it appears to long been recommended. Sir James Lancaster, described in the Hortus Jamaicensis as being have been brought by the Spaniards, who, as in his voyage in 1601, carried with him several often larger than a man's head. Shaddocks are Barham observes, use them in their sauces and bottles of lemon-juice, and, by giving his sailors preserved as a sweetmeat, and used in making gravies; because the juice, as they say, is as good as any gravy, and so by its richness warms a few tablespoons-full in the morning kept off punch, as well as limes and lemons. the blood. this disorder.

In Captain Cook's voyages, great benefit was derived from lemon and orange-juice, which were found in the sea-scurvy to be very efficacious.

LOCUST-TREE.—HYMENÆA.

In Botany, of the Class Decandria Monogynia.
Natural Order, Lomentacea.

oil.

Dodoens, in his Pemptades, published at Antwerp, in 1583, describes it as growing at that time in the continental gardens, and says, that it's fruit was caten dressed with pepper, salt, and Dr. Willich states, that the largest dose of opiParkinson, whose works were published in This is a very large spreading tree, in shape 1656, mentions it as being cultivated in England um may be checked in it's narcotic effects, if a proper quantity of citric acid be taken with resembling the beech. The flowers are produs for ornament and curiosity only. Even at the it; and that, with this adjunct, it induces cheer-ced in loose spikes at the end of the branches, present time they are grown in many gardens in fulness instead of stupefaction, and is succeeded and are succeeded by thick, fleshy, brown pods, the country, merely for the singularity of their shaped like those of the garden-bean, about six by gentle and refreshing sleep. In Sicily, the juice of lemons forms an im-inches long, and two and a half broad, wherein appearance, varying very much in size and shape portant article of commerce, it being considered there are three or four round, flat, blackish beans as well as colour; some being of a bright yellow, and others of a fine red. It appears, by the Horthe most valuable remedy for the scurvy in or stones, bigger than those of the tamarind, entus Kewensis, to have been cultivated in England long voyages. It is also very extensively used closed in a whitish substance of fine filaments, as as early as the year 1596; but I conclude it was by calico-printers, as a discharger of colour, sweet as sugar or honey. The wild bees are introduced several years previous to that date, as to produce, with more clearness and effect, the fond of building their nests in these trees: we white figured parts of coloured patterns, dyed may therefore justly conclude that St. John found Gerard mentions it in the early part of his voluminous work, as growing in his garden. This both the locust and wild honey on the same trees, author calls it pomum amoris; and says, “apples with colours formed from iron. When Gibraltar was besieged or blocked up and that it was this fruit on which he fed, and of love do growe in Spaine, Italie, and such hot in the autumn of 1780, vegetables had become not on insects, called locusts, as some authors countries, from whence myself have received so scare, that a small cabbage sold for 58. which have stated. seedes for my garden, where they do increase The Indians eat this fruit with great avidity, caused the scurvy to rage to such a degree as threaand prosper. tened more fatal consequences than the gun-boats though it is apt to purge when fresh gathered, of the Spaniards. The women and children, as but loses that quality as it grows older.

"There hath happened unto my handes another sort," says this author, "agreeing very nota

well as the officers, were equally affected with The juice, or decoction of the leaves, is carmi-blie with the former, onely the fruite hereof was this dreadful disorder, when happily an anti-native, and eases the colic pain. The inward yellow of colour." (Now this work, which was dote was procured by the capture of a Danish bark destroys worms. Between the principal published in 1597, must have taken some years dogger, from Malaga, laden with lemons and roots of the tree exudes a fine transparent resin, in compiling and printing, &c. as it contains seveoranges, which the governor immediately pur- which is collected in large lumps, is called gum ral thousand wood plates.) chased for the use of the garrison, and dis- animi, and makes the finest varnish that is known, Miller says, in the 6th edition of his Gardentributed among them, which relieved them superior even to the Chinese lacca. most wonderfully. The juice was given to those The tree is now well known in the West in the malignant state diluted with sugar, wine, dies, and when oid, the timber is in request or spirits. Various antiscorbutics had previously been used without success, such as acid of vitriol, sauer kraut, extract of malt, essence of spruce, &c.

make wheel-work for various machines.

er's Dictionary, "the Italians and Spaniards eat In-love-apples as we do cucumbers, with pepper, oil, and salt, as well as for sauces."

to

The Portuguese call this fruit tomato, and eat it either raw or stewed.

Lunan says of this fruit, "I have eaten five or

As this tree is made interesting to us by the mention made of it in scripture, I shall be excused in giving some particulars from the Botani-six raw at a time: they are full of a pulpy juice, cal Manuscript of Mr. Anthony Robinson, who

writes thus:

As the juice of lemons and limes became in so much demand for medical use, as well as and of small seeds, which you swallow with the pulp, and have something of a gravy taste. The for the purposes of luxury, various modes of pujuice is cooling, and very proper for defluxions of rifying and preserving it have been adopted "On the 8th July, 1759, I had the pleasure of hot humours in the eyes, which may occasion a by our ingenious chemists, who have succeeded seeing the perfect flower of the hymena of Lin- glaucoma, if not prevented: they are also good in procuring the acid in a state of purity in næus expanded, from which I took this descrip- in the St. Anthony's fire, and all inflammations; crystals. The liquor called shrub, is made tion: the receptacle of the cup was bell-shaped, and a cataplasm of them is very proper for burns." with lemon and lime-juice added to rum. permanent; the perianth consisted of four ovate, Miller also says, that the love-apple was used as The fruit of the lime (lima) resembles in coriaceous, thick leaves, almost equal, placed a medicine in his time. acidity the lemon; and the tree, that of the orange, scalewise, which, for the most part, dropped as This fruit has long been used by the wealthy having winged leaves. It is much smaller than soon as the petals were expanded. The leaves of Jew families in this country; and within these the common lemon, and is principally brought to the cup were placed on the margin of the recep- last few years it has come into great use with all this country from the West-India islands, where, tacle. The petals were white, five in number our best cooks, as it possesses in itself an agreeasays Lunan," the negroes take the young fruit, ovate, erect, patent, and almost equal, as long as the ble acid, a very unusual quality in ripe vegetaSoon after it is formed, or when about the size cup; the stamina were ten subulated, erect, patent bles and which makes it quite distinct from all garof a small hazel-nut, pare off the rind, which filaments, one fourth longer than the petals; the den vegetables that are used for culinary purposes they beat into a fine pulp, and with a hair-pen-germen was placed on a receptacle, arising out of in this country. It makes a good pickle, and is precil apply it carefully to the lids of sore eyes a hole in the centre of the receptacle, compress-served in various ways for the winter use, and is for a cure. It is supposed," continues Lunan, ed and small; the style subulate, and somewhat made into a kind of ketchup also. When boiled in "this rawness of the eyelids, accompanied longer than the stamens; the stigma coronated; soups and sauces, it imparts an acid of a most with a humour, is generally caused by worms the anthers were large, oblong, and the flower, agreeable flavour: it is also served at table boiled which lodge in it, and that this application des- has nothing of a pyramid in it's form. There or roasted, and sometimes fried with eggs. Lovetroys them." was great difficulty in getting a complete flowers, apples are now to be seen in great abundance at

Lime punch is more esteemed than that made for the leaves of the cup dropped off with the all our vegetable markets, but I do not find that from lemons, particularly for cold punch, which least motion. The petals were considerably per- they are used by the middle or lower classes of is a beverage greatly esteemed by turtle eat-manent, but the stamens more so. Linnæus has English families, who have yet to learn the art described the blossoms erroneously." This tree of improving their dishes with vegetables. The citron is principally used as a sweet-was first cultivated in England, in the yer 1688.- Mr. John Wilmot, of Isleworth, states, that in (Hortus Kewensis.) 1819 he gathered, from 600 plants, 400 half

ers.

meat,

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