Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/161

141&#93; 1) I s emedy i--, to n move i their vicinity such i (and particularly weeds), .is im- pede the growth <>i those we ore as t<> cultivate. The bad qualities,, <>i' unequal distribution of the juices of plants, occasion bul fe» diseases which aflfeft vegetables in this country, i thej are principally liable to external accidents, especially to the depredations of inserts, sueh as snails, caterpillars, grubs and files, to which we refer. — Sec also Beetle, Chafer, Crab, and Corn-fly. The diseases which our garden- ers chiefly observe, are : 1. Barrenness; when the tree, though apparently fresh andhealthy, bears no blossoms; or, it" it [in- duce any, they soon fall ; or, should they set, the fruit drops, before it arrives at maturity. 2. Blasting of the buds, occa- sioned by a frost happening while the leaves and blossoms are wet ; in consequence of which the pores are contracted, and the vital juices obstructed : thus, if the sun begins to shine suddenly, they turn yel- low, producing round fiery specks, whence frequently proceed tumors somewhat similar to warts, which rot, and generate maggots. Mr. Mortimer adds, that the want of rain, during the blossoming time, often disposes the blossoms to drop, from a deficiency of sap ; to pre- vent which, he recommends fre- quent watering. 3. Blight ; 4. Mildew ; 5 . Moss ; to which articles we refer. 6. Rotten roots; an incurable disease, occasioned by setting the plants too deep. /. A kind of ?nildew arising D IS fi4i from a thu k fog, or too abundant dew ; w Itii ii, however, afti i is the; plants oul. !•■(•.
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by the tre< - sprouting too early, >>v when they are attacked by too sudden In at or cold. Q. The Scurf ox Leprosy, a dis- ease which is confined to the bark, and is produced by excessive dila- tation of the pores, through which too great a proportion of perspir- able matter exudes ; so that by ad- hering to, and hardening on the bark, it causes the latter to chap and crack, while it obstructs all perspiration. Thus, the viscous rind or skin furnishes a secure re- treat for vermin, which live both on the bark and on the tree. To the various dieases should be added the injury done to trees by deer, hares, and rabbits, barking them. The best defence against the first of those animals, is to pale- them round, or to paint the lower part of the tree ; but the former method is preferable. Hares and rabbits may be kept off by tying bands of straw round the trunk of every tree, as far as they can reach. Some persons make use of a com- position of tar and lime, which cer- tainly is not less injurious to the growth of trees than the depreda- te ns of hares or rabbits. In ge- neral, where any defence is requi- site, straw -bands afford a tolerable security. DISTEMPER is frequently used in the same sense as disease, but is particularly applicable to cattle. — This term implies a species of con- tagious fever, attended with an in- flammation, which is succeeded by a gangrene in the lungs, liver, or intestines. It is always preceded by a shivering and trembling of the limbs, which art followed by va- rious