Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/480

444&#93; 444] PEA B, is the body of the borer, six inches in diameter. C, the aperture, through which the peat, introduced by boring, is cxtrafted from the ground. D, represents a portion of the iron bar of the borer ; to the upper pan of which a cross handle is to be affixed. It frequently happens, that the bottoms of drains and ditches, ■when newly cut, rise so consider- ably from the pressure of the sub- jacent waters, as to be nearly filled up, and conse(juently to impede the course of that fluid which they were intended to carry off; so that the work is rendered ineffectual . To prevent such accidents, re- course is generally had to a com- mon auger, or even to a pole, which procures a temporary pas- sage for the water ; but, the peat being thus pressed only in a lateral dire^ion, tvithout being cut, the ^des speedily close ; and the course of the fluid again becomes ob- stnifted. Mr. Eccleston's im- pjeraent, therefore, is calculated to remove such impediment ; for, by means of his auger, a cylindri- cal column of peat, six inches in tfaineter, will be completely cut out and removed ; thus affording a free passage to the confined wa- ter, for a considerable length of time. Hence, theexpence of drain- ing boggy lands may be consider- ably reduced ; and they will even- tually be rendered so firm, that the first drains will stand unimpaired. The proper depth, to which the peat-borer should descend, must be regulated by the situation of the joil : — where moss-lands are very /ott', and liable to be inundated, it will be advisable to penetrate only to such a depth as will be suffici- ent to drain the surface ; because deep boring would cause it to sink PL A so low, as to be overflown by every sudden shower of rain. PICHURIM BEANS are the fruit of the Faba Pichurim, a na- tive of South America} and of which there are two varieties, known under the names of the Greater and Lesser Pichurim Beans, The pods of the latter contain a gross oil, which is obtained by bruising and submitting them trf the 36tion of a press. The former, when reduced to powder, yield an essential oil by distillation. These beans possess considerable astringent properties, arxl were for- merly employed, in doses of ten grains reduced to powder, in diar- rhoeas and dysenteries. PLANTS.— A simple method of conveying shrubs, and young trees, from distant climates, has lately been published by M.Char- PENTIER DE CaUSSIGNY. Hc direfts a box to be provided, of a sufficient capacity, according to the number of plants intended for transportation. Some light earth, moderately nwistened, is then to be spread at the bottom, to the thickness of fifteen lines, or from one to two inches. The young trees should now be taken out of the ground, together with their roots, and the soil adhering to them : after cutting off the extre- mities of the roots, and also of such branches as are in a growing state, they must be carefully placed be- tween two strata of earth ; when the box should be closed. As the plants are apt to become dr}' during the voyage, in consequence of which their vegetative principle would be endangered, it will be necessary to perforate the lid of the box with several holes, through which they may occasionally be supplied 'ith water j and then be closed wilh wooden pegs, in order to