Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/342

320&#93; 520] OS Holland, and Flanders ; because the manufafturers could thus ob- tain them at a cheaper rate, than if they had been planted in Eng- land. The French osiers are of slower growth, than any other sort of this shrub : hence planters are not inclined to cultivate them ; as the small proJits are inadequate to the grou'.id-rent and price of labour in England. This variety, never- theless, deserves to be reared ; for it is extremely pliable, tough, taj^er, close-grained, and durable : though it be less profitable to the culti- vator, it is certain of meeting with a more readv sale. Besides, con- siderable sums of money, which must otherwise be carried out of the country, would thus be annu- ally saved to the nation, and em- ployment might be furnished to numerous indigent families. Osiers are propagated by plant- ing slips or foot-sets in wet or marshy situations : they should be put in the ground shortly after Christmas ; because the plants will be less liable to fail, than if the setting were deferred till the end of April, or the commencement of May. When ht soil is sufficiently drv, it will be advisable to scatter a small quantity of cole-seed, or with more advantage, tTirnip-seed, that will serve as a shelter to the young plants ; but either of which ought to be grazed with sheep about Michaelmas ; because it will then grow so large as almost to choak the osien. In the course of three or four years, they will have attained a size sufficient to be cut, and formed into bundles or bun- iiles, by compressing them in an iron hoop of one ell in circumfe- rence : eighty of such bundles con- stitute a load, the price of which varies from 12 to 141. The best OST soil usually produces one load pef acre j but, on an indifferent or poof ground, half a load is computed to be a tolerably good crop. — The rent of the land, upon an average^ is from 20 to 25s. per acre ; and the expence of weeding, renewing, cutting, and peeling, such a planta- tion, is estimated at about 5. if the work be well executed. Some' careless cultivators, however, sufTef' the ground to be over-run witlj" weeds, in consequence of which" the value of the crop is necessarily diminished. OSMUND ROYAL, Flower- ing FeKY, OrTvOYAL ^foONWORT; Osmunda regalis, L. an indigenous plant, growing in watery places and boggy -marshes ; beaiing flow- ers in the months of July and August. It is remarkable, that impres- sions of the leaves of this vegetable are frequently met with in the no- dules, or small masses of iron- si. :ie found in the mines at Coal- brook Dale. — ^I'he root of the Os- mund Royal, boiled in water, af- fords a thick mucilage, which, in the North of Europe, is emploved as a substitute for starch, to stifea linen. — On account of its viscid, sub-astringent nature, it was for- merly often used in the gout, as well as in the rickets. It appears, however, to be better calculated for external applications, in contu- sions and bruises, of which, it is said, to be a powerful di^cutient : — as it smoothens and softens the skin, it makes a tolerable cosme- tic ; and is reputed for its property of dispersing freckles, and other pimples from the face. OSTRICH, or Struthio Came- liis, L. the largest ot the feathered tribe, and a native, of Africa and Arabia. It is usually six ox seven^ aad