Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/100

82&#93; Sz] LEA spontaneously resume their former position. Leaves, therefore, are not merely ornamental to plants, but contribute in a very considerable degree to promote vegetation : thus almost every class of the vegetable crea- tion is furnished with them, ex- cepting mushrooms, and one or two other productions of the earth. Indeed, if any tree be deprived of its leavesj it cannot shoot vigorous- ly ; and, if it be totally divested of them, it speedily perishes. When, however, vegetation ceases, these organs of respiration and inspiration become superfluous : hence there are but few plants furnished with leaves throughout the whole year ; the greater part is entirely deprived of them, and remains naked during the v.inter, producing new foliaije with each returning spring. The utility of leaves, in an eco- nomical respeft, is very great, even after they cease to be essential to vegetation. Hence they should not be suffered to rot upon the ground, but carefully gathered in autumn ; then exposed to a dry air, frequently turned, and thus rnade subservient to various useful purposes. Such leaves furnish an wliolesome winter fodder for cows and sheep, either of which animals devour them eagerly. With tliis intention, they may be dried in a similar manner, and even mixed, with hay,; and, if properly kept free from moisture, they may be easily preserved throughout the winter. Nor are the leaves of vegetables, especially those ot beans, less ser- viceable as a manure, for clay-soils, because the lower ones are very substantial, and yield, in the opi- nion ofDr. Darwin, a considerable jjortion of carbonic acid : heuce it LEA may be explained, that bean leaves(, by continually dropping on the sur- face of the land, supply the earth with carbon, and tlius render it more nutritive to such vegetables as may afterwards be cultivated. ' In this respe6t, they are greatly preferable to sheep's or cow's ditng, because they never stock the soil with weeds, the roots or seeds of which are frequently propa<^ated bv the compost of ordinary dung- hills. The leaves of trees may also be advantageously substituted for saw- dust, in wine-cellars; andforhorse- Hi-ter, or tanner' s-bark, in hot-beds, for which they are eminently cal- culated; and, if trodden down closely, and properly moistened, they will gradually ferment, while their heat is more uniform and per- manent than horse-dung : besides, there is no danger of burning or suffocating the plants in the frame. Vegetable foliage, likewise, affords an useful material for the stuffing of beds, bolsters, mattresses, and cushions. But, to prevent them from crumbling into dust, vvhen frequently shaken, a correspondent, in the 1st vol. of the Museum Rus^ ticum et Comma'ciale, observes, that they should be moistened while drying ; as their contexture will thus be rendered more tough and elastic : we are inclined to re- commend^ wiih this intention, a weak solution of glue orisinglass. — • They certainly merit a fair trial j and, as we have no doubt of their salubrity or softness, they might be beneficially employed by the poor, who may gather and prepare thcnj with little trouble or exper.ce. Lastly, the leaves of the oak, ash, and alder, have latdy been sub-ttuted for their re'-petiiv^ barks, iu the tantiing of leather.—.