strument called a curry-comb; it may also be applied to cows, and indeed to all black cattle, that are much confined to the stall or yard, especially during the winter. Independently of the circumstance, that so useful a practice essentially contributes to the health and kindliness of animals, it also in a remarkable degree promotes their thriving and becoming fat.—See Bullocks, vol. i. p. 390.
CUTTINGS, or slips in gardening, are those branches or sprigs of trees, which are cut or slipped off, in order to be transplanted; an operation that may be effected in any moist, fine earth. The most proper seasons for this purpose are the months of September, October, March, and April; but great care ought to be taken that the sap be not too abundant in the top, lest the cut decay, before that part which is in the ground, has taken sufficient root to support it; nor should it be too dry or scanty, as the sap in the branches promotes the growth of the root, especially if it be not planted too deep: See Transplantation.
In selecting the cuttings, those branches which have joints, knots or burrs, ought to be cut off two or three inches below the latter, and the leaves stripped so far as they are set in the earth. Small top-branches, of two or three years growth, are the most proper for this purpose.
CUTTLE-FISH, or Sepia, L. a remarkable genus of the finny tribe: the bones of a particular species, called the Officinal Cuttle, are frequently thrown out by the sea on the British shore, but the fish itself very rarely.
This curious fish, when frightened or pursued, emits a black liquor, which is supposed to have been used by the ancients, instead of writing-ink. It was also esteemed by them as a delicacy, but at present is relished only by the Italians. Its porous and laminated bones were formerly employed in medicine as an absorbent; and are still kept in the druggist-shops. They are hard on one side, but soft and yielding on the other, so that very neat impressions from medals, &c. may be easily made upon them, and then serve as moulds for casting metallic figures representing the original. These bones, in a calcined state, are farther useful, not only for cleaning and polishing silver, but chiefly for absorbing the acidity and tartness of wines, which, if not completely spoiled, may thus be restored to their former briskness.
CYDER, or Cider, a sharp, cool, and vinous beverage, made by fermenting the juice of apples. Some connoisseurs in this liquor are of opinion, that the juice of the more delicate table-fruit is generally more cordial and pleasant than that of the wild or harsh kinds; though others assert the latter to be in many respects preferable.
The apples should remain on the tree till they are thoroughly ripe, when they ought to be gathered with the hand in dry weather, that they may be protected both from bruises and from moisture. They are then to be sorted, according to their various degrees of maturity, and laid in separate heaps, in order to sweat; in consequence of which they greatly improve.—This practice, however, appears to be useful only for such fruit as is not perfectly ripe, though some recommend it as being proper for all apples. The duration of the time
