the most proper period for accomplishing the purpose, appears to be in the beginning of June, so that she may foal in the succeeding month of May; when the meadows will abound with rich grass, which contributes to the abundant secretion of milk; but Mr. Young (Annals of Agriculture, vol. 36) thinks it is more advantageous when they foal early, for instance, in February; or, which is perhaps still better, in January; though he assigns no reason for such opinion.
The management and diet of the animal should not be changed for three weeks or a month after covering; she ought likewise to be kept clean in the stable, and her feet should be well pared and thinly shod. To facilitate parturition, the animal's nostrils may be closed by hand, at the time ot foaling; in order to prevent her from inhaling the air; and, if such expedient be ineffectual, a pint of warm ale should be given her, with a small quantity of madder.—If the mare be deficient in milk, it has been directed to boil as much as can be drawn from her, together with lavender leaves, and to foment the udder with this decoction while warm, till the knotty tumors that prevent the milk from flowing, be discussed. Her drink ought now, for the space of a month, to consist only of white water, that is, bran and water stirred together, till the liquor appear white. At the end of that period, a decoction of sulphur and savin should be given to the animal, which, as well as the colt, will thus be greatly invigorated.—See also Colt.
MARE's-TAIL, the Common, or Hippuris vulgaris, L. an indigenous perennial plant, growing in ditches and stagnant waters; it flowers in the month of May.
This weakly astringent vegetable is eaten by goats, but refused by cows, sheep, horses, and swine.—Its rough stalks are employed by cabinet-makers and turners, for polishing wood, bones, brass, &c.
Marine Acid. See Spirit of Salt.
MARJORAM, or Origanum, L. a genus of perennial plants, comprising 14 species: of these, one only is indigenous, namely, the vulgare, Common, Wild, or Field Marjoram, which grows in thickets and hedges; it flowers in the months of July and August.
This plant delights in a calcareous soil, and is easily propagated either by its seed, or by slips of the roots. It is a fragrant aromatic, has a pungent, spicy taste, and is much esteemed for culinary purposes; especially for imparting a fine flavour to broths.—The dried leaves are uncommonly grateful, and are sometimes used as a substitute for tea.—An essential, but extremely acrid, oil is expressed from this herb, and which is often employed by farriers as a caustic.—If a little cotton wool, moistened with such oil, be introduced into the hollow of an aching tooth, it frequently tends to relieve the pain.—The whole plant, excepting the root, when boiled in water, imparts a bright red and deep brown colour to wool, especially if the latter be frequently taken out of the liquor, and properly beaten. But, if linen is to be dyed of a purple colour, it ought to be previously steeped in alum water, then immersed for 48 hours in a decoction made of the bark of the crab-tree.—In Germany, the dried herb
