Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/414

392] PL A whence the juice, known under the naine of Honey-dew, is said to be ejected These inserts are extremely pro- lific, depositing their eggs on the buds, leaves, and even the stems of plants ; into which they thrust their minute beaks, and thus ex- tract their sustenance. — Asthevine- fretters are uncommonly numer- ous, the>e punctures, being conti- nually rep^.ited, dir figure the leaves, and other-', ise mnterially inji>re the plant. V^ariou.^ meai.s have there- fore been contrived, with a view to prevent their depred.it inns, and to extirpate these vermin. — Under tiie articles Insects, and Pink, we have already stated the most suc- cessful methods praftised by gar- deners for this purpose : bence, "A'e .shall only observe, that such insects appear to be generated chiefly by an improper manage- ment both of the soil and plants ; nan^ely, by employing crude ma- nure, whether of animal or 'ege- tal^le substances, not sufficiently putrified ; by the use of stimulat- iv^ liquids, such as bullock's blood, the vs'ater colle6ted from farm- yards, and similar preparation.-? 3 by the want of fresh air, or by ex- cluding the young plants from the benefit of the dew, and the solar rays: — for it has been lemarked, that vegetables, constantly exposed to the infiueuce of the atmosphere, arc not liable to be materially in- jured by plant-lice. PLANTAIN, or Plantngo, L. a genus of plants, comprising 3f) species ; the following of which are indigenous, t^nd deserve attention. 1. The 7« a/or. Greater Plan- tain, or Wav-bread, is peren- nial ; grows on road-sides ; and flowers from June till August. — According IoDi.WithekikGj the PL A country people apply the bruised green leaves of tliis vegetable to slight wounds. — Cows and horses do not relish the plant, but it is eaten by sh ep. soits, and swine. 2. The hincenlata, Ribwort- Plaimtain', or Ris-grass, is also a perennial plant, very comm.n in pastures, and flowers in the month of J.ine. — Lrj/N.B'Js remarks, that this herb is eaten by horses, sheep, and giats, but wholly refused by cows J though the richness of the milk in the noted Alpine dairies, is, by Haller, attributed to the nutriment der;ved from this plant, andtheCrmmonLrADiEs-MAXTLE. — The for.Tier is often cultivated for pasturage, but does not answer the purpose, unless combined with clover or other grasses. The total absence of rib-gra.ss, in marshy lands, is a certain criterion of their inditFerent quahty : and, in pro- portion as such soils are improved' by dnining, this plant will flourish and abound. — Dr. Withering observes, that when it grows de- tached from other grasses, for in- stance, by the sides of foot-paths, he has never known cattle to touch the Ribwort- Plantain ; but that they certainly eat it, when mixed with other herbage. 3. The Cornnopus, Buckshork- Plantain, Star-of-the Earth, or Hartshorn, grows on gravelly- soils, near the "sea - shore ; and flowers from June till August. — ■ There are two indigenous varieties of this species ; namelv, the Com- mon Buckshorn, which abounds on heaths : and the Narrow-leaved Welch PJaintain, that flourishes oa the mountains of that country. — . Both afford wholesome food for horses ; and Bechstein informs u,«;, that they have, in Germany, been used with great success for curing