Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/112

88&#93; SS] APP and which, by feeding on the heart of the bud, soon occasion it to con- tract, and drop. To remedy this fatal effect, Mr. C. Gullett ad- vises to coiled heaps of long dung, wet straw, weeds, Sec; to dispose them in different parts of the or- chard ; and set fire to the heaps in that quarter from which the wind blows, so that the smoke may tho- roughly fumigate all the trees. Thus the insects, which are sup- posed to be brought by the wind, will be prevented from depositing their e2,s;s. As very serious apprehensions were lately entertained in the cyder counties, that the moss growing on apple-trees, and the millions of insects which harbour in it, might be destructive to orchards, we shall here insert another remedy disco- vered by Mr. Tench, of the Mi- nories : " Take a quantity of un- slacked lime, mix it with as soft water as your situation will fur- nish, to the consistency of very thick white-wash ; this mixture, with a soft paint brush, apply to your apple-trees, as soon as you judge the sap begins to rise, and wash the stem and large boughs well with it, observing to have it done in dry weather, that it may adhere, and withstand rain : you will rind, that in the course of the ensuing summer, it will remove all tire moss and insects, and give to the bark a fresh and green appearance, and that the tree will shoot much new and strong wood ; at least, it did so in Nova Scotia. The trial is simple, and can neither be at- tended with much expence, trou- ble, or danger." Injustice to Mr. Forsyth, His JVJajesty's gardener at Kensington, we cannot emit to mention his Composition, used for trie same APP purpose, and, perhaps, of superior efficacy, if the nature of its ingre- dients be considered : To one hun- dred gallons of human urine, and one bushel of lime, add cow-dung sufficient to bring it to the con- sistence of paint — After having carefully brushed off all the moss, the infected trees should be anoint- ed with this mixture, about the lat- ter end of March; which simple precaution, it is said, fully answers the desired effect. Concerning xhtph/sical properties of apples, it deserves to be stated, that beside their aromatic qualities, they are wholesome and laxative, when folly ripe. In diseases of the breast, such as catarrhs, coughs, asthmas, consumption, &c. they are of considerable service to neu- tralize the acrimony, and attenuate the viscidity of humours : for these beneficial purposes, however, they ought not to be eaten raw, but either roasted, stewed, or boiled. Even crab, or wood-apples, may be usefully employed in decoc- tions, which, if drank plentifully, tend to abate febrile heat, as well as to relieve painful strictures, in pectoral complaints. With regard to their sensible properties, apples have been divid- ed into spicy, acidulated, and wa- tery. To the first, class belong the various species of rennet, which possess a most delicate, flavour, contain the least proportion of wa- ter, and, on account of their vinous nature, are not apt to excite flatu- lency. Pippens, on the contrary, though affording more nutriment than the former, are more fibrous, and consequently require a more vigorous stomach to digest them : hence they may be ranked under the second class. Lastly, those sweet and tender apples which are veiy