Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/291

FRR rif brewing and distilling liquors h.is prevailed in Europe, ma i those cutaneous as well as putrid tses, with which our forefathers i less sc- . and less frequent than they occurred in former a i )n the other ban 1, it is certain that all fermented liquors contain a iderable portion of air. which appears to combine the spirituous with the viscous parts, and which must necessarily be disen tore they are carried through the different organs of secretion. The developement ami discharge of these aerial particles, however, is not effe&ed without considerable efforts : hence it may be safely as- serted, that fermented liquors are 1 ss eon lucive to a sound and vi- gorous digestion of food than plain water. Yet, with respect to their iuduen e on the human mind, it cannot be denied that such liquors in general have the effecf of enli- vening and exhilarating the spirits, especially of those who are natural- ly deficient in mental energy, or possess a weak and debilitated frame. Some writers, however, are of opinion, that they also have <i strong tendency to corrupt the morals of mankind; aned'ecf which they evidently produce, even in temperate climates, when taken to excess. On the whole, we think a moderate use of malt liquors and wine, is less injurious to the body than the daily drinking of tea, cof- fee, and other hot liquors, which threaten to emasculate the present and future generations. FERN, the Ff.male, or Picris aquilina, L. an indigenous piant, growing on heaths, in woods, and dry barren places, and flowering in the month of August. This weed is extremely difficult FER [261 to be. eradicated, a--, its roois, in soft and deep soils, have been LOf ( igllt feet. < ' ne of tfa ■ most efte -tn il methods of extirpating the fern is, to mow the grass 1 v ; and if the field be plough**! up, and well dunged, this plant will not thrive : — urine is said to be of considera- ble efficacy in checking its vegeta- tion. It may also be easily de- i sd, by means of an instru- ment consisting bf a stick, in which is inserted a blade, with blunt j, and with which the ste as of tire plant are to be bruised. Several acres may thus be cleared, even by a woman, in the course of one day : the next morning a gummy matter will exude from the injured stalk, and the fern will gradually disappear. But, however troublesome this vegetable may prove to the indus- trious husbandman, it is not alto- gether useless, and might well de- serve to be regularly cultivated in those places where few other vege- tables will grow. For covering the roofs of houses, fern affords a valuable substitute for straw : in order to apply it to this useful purpose, it should be pulled up together with its roots, in the beginning of October, when it is perfectly pliant, and not liable to break : if these precautions be attended to, the thatch will conti- nue sound for t! irt) years. It also produces excellent litter for hoists and cows ; and when dry, is eaten by catde, for winch purpose it should .be cut f; cm the middle of August to that of September. Hogs are particularly fond of its roots, which render them exceedingly tut j and, it has been found by expe- rience, that, if the stalks be scalded for a few minutes, and mixed with S 3 " bran.,