Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/264

234] sides; the branches being fastened to them in an horizontal direction, as soon as they appear. At the expiration of three years, an espalier is to be made of ash-poles, of which two sizes, large and small ones, should be employed; the former are to be driven upright into the ground, about a foot distant; the latter, or smaller poles, are to be nailed across these, at the distance of nine inches.

There is another kind of espaliers, made of square pieces of timber cut to any size; and which are certainly more handsome and regular, but on account of the extravagant price of wood, less economical than those constructed with ash-poles.

As soon as the espalier is thus framed, the branches are to be affixed to it by means of ozier-twigs; being trained in an horizontal direction, and at equal distances. Fruit-trees managed in this manner, are preferable to all others, because they not only bear more delicious fruit, but also require less room in a garden: and consequently do not retard the growth of such plants as may be cultivated in their vicinity.  ESSENCE, or, as it is variously termed, in medicine, denotes the purest, most subtle, and balsamic part of a body, extracted by distillation.

There are a variety of essences drawn from flowers, fruits, &c. which are used on account of their agreeable flavour by apothecaries, perfumers, and others: the principal of these are the essence of, of , of , of , of , and of.

The essences sold by perfumers, chiefly consist of the oil of bitter-, to which they impart the odour of, , , and other flowers and spices. When essential oils have been distilled, they should be suffered to subside for some days, in vessels loosely covered with paper, till they have lost their disagreeable, ardent odour, and have become limpid; they should be put into small bottles, which ought to be completely filled, closely stopped, and kept in a cool place: by observing these precautions, they will retain their virtue for several years. But, if essential oils be carelessly managed, they gradually lose their flavour, and become thick: in this case, they should be put into a still, with fresh ingredients for distilling the same oil; by which means they will saturate themselves with the odoriferous particles, and regain their former strength and purity.

Essential oils, medicinally considered, agree in the general qualities of pungency and heat: with respect to their particular virtues, vary as much as the vegetables from which they are extracted. Thus, the carminative properties of aromatic seeds, the diuretic effects of -berries, the stomachic virtues of, and the antiscorbutic powers of , are in a great measure concentrated in their oils.

These oils are never given in a pure state, on account of their extreme pungency, which in some is so great, that if a single drop be deposited on the tongue, it will occasion a gangrenous eschar, or scab. They are readily imbibed by pure, dry sugar, being the most convenient form in which they can be administered. The more mild and grateful oils are frequently used as ingre-