Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/49

IRK. ployed as a tonic and corroborant ; %vhen properly prepared, it is given %vith advantage in diseases pro- ceeding frojTi laxity and ina6t:ivity of the dige'Jtive organs, such as indigesdon, flatulency, colic, &:c. It is also of considerable service in hypochondriacal alfeftlons, in- termittent, tertian, quartan, and other tevers ; but it seldom agrees with either bilious or plethoric con- stitutions, and is, like all aftive drugs, much abused by quacks and other pretenders, who should not be suffered to trifle with the health and lives of the multitude. Iron* -MOULDS, are spots on linen, occasioned by its exposure to damp situations, and also by mk accidentally dropped on the cloth. They may be removed by moistening the stained part, sprink- ling it wnth a small quantity of the essential salt of lemons ; after which the linen is to be rubbed over a pewter plate, and the blot washed out with warm water. But a less expensive method consists in wet- ting the spot, applying to it a few drops of spirit of salt, or lemon juice; then rubbing it for a mi- kute or longer between the tingers, while it is carefully held over a hot smoothing iron, or a bason filled with boiling water, the ster.m of which greatly facilitates the re- moval of the stains. IRRIGATION, signifies the Watering, or artilicial flooding of Jbnd. The principal objeft in irrigating the soil, is a proper supply of - ter ; and, if that fluid abound with mud, the land wijl be more per- manently improved, than by con- du<5ting a clear spring over its sur- fStce : hence it is certain, that if the liijuor collefted in farm-yards, the Wflshings of different sinks, ditches. IRR [31 and tlie drains of the contiguon* tields, could be conveyed into the common stream, the water would acquire a more fertilizing property. But, in order to manage this important branch of rural economy with success, it will be requisitfi previously to ascertain, whether the stream will admit of a tempo- rary wear or dam being constructed across it ; whetlier the water can be raised to such a height as to. overflow a particular spot, without injuring the contiguous land ; and whether it can be drawn ofl^" with the same facility as it is eon- du6tcd on the soil. If these ob- jects can be attained, the process of irrigation may be undertaken in the following manner : When the descent cannot be de- termined with tolerable precision by the eye, an accurate level of the ground mvist be taken, and the most elevated part compared with the height of the stream to be em- ployed. The instrument used fo? this purpose, is called a ivater^ level; and, as the common ma- chines are but impertedly adapted to the purpose, we have subjoined the following representation of a simple implement for taking levels, contiived by Dr. James Ander- son ; as it has been recommended' to the notice of the public, by the Beard of Agriculture. It