Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/363

329&#93; W I L Sncieli/,'' vol.liii.)direi^s siichbnftc to be gathered in the summer, when it abounds with sap ; to be, dried in a moderate bent ; and to be taken in doses of one dram, every 4 hours, between the fits : in a few obsti- n:;te cases, Mr, S found it neces- sary to mis one-fifth part of Pefu- . vian bark with that of the Com- mon Willow. — As this tree fre- quently grows in wet, marshy si- tuations, where agues are most pre- valent, its bark promises to afford a valuable substiuite for the foreign drug, espcciallv as the price of the latter has lately been so exorbitant, that the poor cannot easily procure it J while its quality becomes every year more inipnired, by base and fraudulent adulteralions. Beside these ifi/ligenous species, there are two exotics, which de- serve to be mentioned : 1. The Bahyionica, or Weep- ing-willow, is a native of the East, whence its culture has been introduced into Britain. It flourish- es by the sides of rivers, attaining to a considerable size ; and its long, depending branches, contri- bute greatly to diversify the scene- ry : it is raised chicfiy for orna- ment. 2. The Dutch Willow has lately been transplanted into England. Its wood is chiefly employed for posts, rails, gates, &c. ; to which purposes it is well adapted. All the species above enume? rated, delight in moist situations, excepting the sallow, which thrives better in a dry soil. They may be easily propagated by planting sets, adt'mgSy or truncheons of willows, about 6 years old, either in spring or in autumn ; as they speedily take root, and, in the course of a few years, amply repay (he ex- pence and trouble bestowed on WIL [3^-9^ their culture. In order to ensure success, the truncheons onght pre- viously to be steeped in soft water, for a few days : both ends must then be obliquely smoothened ; the up- per part be covered with soil, and exposed with its orifice towards the east. The earth should be mo- derately compressed with the foot, around the stem, so that it may more readily absorb tnoisture : ih the third year, the top should be cleared, to promote the growth of the bark. — The Yellow JFiHowi however, ought never to be planietl too near ivclls, or springs, because its. spreadiiig roots retard their course : thus, Mr. Bosdley (ia his " Essays and Nnles on Hiis~ handry" &:c.) mentions an in- stance, in which a spring was com- pletely choked up, by their rapid, absorption of water. On the con- trary, this species may with advan- tage be propagated in swampj situations ; as its roots lend to con- solidate the ground ; and, after a fewj'ears, the soil will generally be converted into a firm meadow. WILLOW-HERB, or Epihll- vm, L. a genus of plants consisting of 13 species, 8 b -ing indigenous ; of which the following are the principal : 1 . The hirsulum, Great Haiky, or Large-floweked Willow- herb, or Codlings and Cream, is perennial ; grows in moist hedges; ditches, the banks ofbrooks, rivers, and lakes ; where it flowers in July. — The young tops of this vegetable" possess a delicate odonr< resembling that of scalded cod- lings ; but which is so transitory, that after they have been gathered five minufes, their fragrance is entirely dissipated. — Horses, sheep, and goats, eat the plant ; though it is not relished by cows, and is wholly