Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/299

Rh is freqnent in woods and hedges; flowering in the months of July and August. It is often raised in gardens, chiefly for the beauty of its variegated flowers; but Dr. believes it may be useful to the farmer; and, as it attains the height of 10 or 12 feet, having very strong stalks, he supposes that it would afford a large crop of hay.

There is an exotic species of the Chickling, namely, the tuberosus, which the Germans term Earth-nut, or Sow-bread; growing in stony and mountainous fields:—this plant is a valuable addition to meadows; not only on account of its odoriferous flowers, which blow from May to July, and are eagerly frequented by bees; but also for its black tuberous roots, which are in Holland eaten as fruit, and boiled for culinary use; having the sweet and agreeable taste of nuts. These roots contain a larger proportion of mealy particles than potatoes: and extracted from one pound of Earth-nuts, three ounces of a beautiful white starch; whereas the same quantity of the former yielded only one ounce. Why, therefore, should it not be used for ?  VETCH, the, or , or , Ervum hirsutum, L. an indigenous plant, growing in sandy corn-fields, hedges, and meadows, where it flowers in the month of June.—This vegetable is eaten by horses, cows, goats, and sheep; but it ought to be carefully eradicated; as, during wet seasons, whole crops of corn have been overpowered, and their growth completely stifled, by this pernicious weed.  VICHY-WATER, is obtained from the tepid mineral springs, that rise in the vicinity of Vichy, in France. On account of its chalybeate and alkaline ingredients, it is taken internally; being reputed to be of great service in bilious colics, diarrhœas, and in disorders of the stomach, especially such as arise from a relaxed or debilitated state of that organ.

These waters are likewise very useful, when employed as a tepid bath, particularly in rheumatism, sciatica, gout, &c.: by combining the internal use with the external application, they have often effected a cure, where other remedies had failed to afford any relief.  VINE, the Common, or Vitis vinifera, L. a native of Japan, and the warmer regions of Asia: it has for centuries been raised in Britain; though its culture is most successful in the temperate climates, or between the 30th and 50th degree of northern latitude.

There are numerous varieties of this valuable shrub, which are cultivated for the delicious grapes they afford. Without entering into an account of their respective periods of maturation, we shall simply state the names of the most remarkable sorts; point out such as are peculiarly serviceable; and conclude with an account of their culture.

1. The July grape, or Morillon Noir Hatif.—2. The Royal Muscadine.—3. The Malmsey Muscadine.—4. The Black Muscadine.—5. The White Muscat of Alexandria.—6. The Red Muscat of Alexandria.—7. The White Muscat of Lunel.—8. The Black Muscadel.—9. The Red Muscadel.—10. The Black Damascus.—11. The Black Tripoli.—12. The Black Spanish, or Alicant.—13. The Black Lisbon.—14. The Black Frontiniac, or  cat