Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/306

276] strength and activity. 7. The flesh ought to be mellow in the state of fleshiness, and firm in the state of fatness. 8. The hide mellow, and of a middle thickness, though, in our author's opinion, this is a point not yet well determined.

Black cattle, as well as horses, have been observed to thrive better in salt-marshes, than in fresh-water meadows, or upland pastures; and it has been conjectured, that the herbs produced by the lands near the sea, are more healthy for herbaceous animals, than such as grow on higher lands. But it is said, that the saline particles with which the earth, as well as its produce near the sea, is strongly impregnated, occasions this beneficial change in the condition of cattle; as these salts purge away the foul humours which the beasts have contracted, either by idleness, or by being over-heated in labour. As cattle are naturally fond of salt, and, if left at their liberty, will take no more of it than what is conducive to their health, it is recommended to lay common sea-salt in the fields, for them to lick as often as they please.—See.  BLACK CANKER is the name given by husbandmen to a caterpillar which commits great devastation among turnips. The best method of destroying these insects is, to turn a body of ducks into the fields infested by them. In the year 1784, Mr. purchased four hundred ducks, and set them at liberty on thirty-three acres of turnips, which they completely cleared of the caterpillar in five days. In a relative proportion, twenty or thirty might be employed upon a small farm, with considerable effect.  Black Clock. See.  BLACK FLY, an insect that attacks the seedling leaves of turnips, cabbages, and many other vegetables. In summer, it may frequently be seen in swarms on the wing near the ground, searching for, and settling on the fresh bites; and thus, in some seasons, destroying thousands of acres. Its ravages may be prevented by the following means:

Mix one ounce of flour of sulphur with three pounds of turnip-seed daily, for three days successively, in a glazed earthen pot, and keep it closely covered, stirring it well at each addition, that the seed may be impregnated with the sulphur: then sow it as usual, on an acre of ground, and the fly will not attack it till the third or fourth seedling leaf is formed, by which time the plant will have acquired a bitterish property, and consequently be out of danger. Others advise to fix alder-bows in a harrow, and draw them over the land immediately after the seed is sown. Again, others bruise the bows, and fumigate them with burnt tobacco, and a small quantity of asafœtida.—See.  BLACK LAND, in agriculture, a term used to denote a peculiar kind of clayey soil, which in rainy weather appears of a dusky or blackish colour, though, when dry, it more resembles a pale grey, than a true black. On ploughing this soil, especially in wet seasons, it is apt to adhere to the plough-shares; and assumes a darker and muddier appearance, the more it is worked. It generally abounds with small white stones, and always contains a considerable proportion of sand. A soil of this description may be improved, by manuring it with such substances as tend to pul-