Jurnut. See Earth-nut.
IVY, the Common, or Hedera Helix, L. a native plant, growing in woods, hedges, and about old buildings: it flowers in the mouth of October.
This plant was first brought to Europe from Canada, and has been long cuhivated in the British gardens, chiefly for the purpose of covering walls or buildings. It shoots almost 20 feet in one year, and gradually extends to the top of the highest building. It is easily propagated in autumn, by its trailing branches; and will thrive in almost any soil or situation; so that in the following October it is fit to be transplanted to those places where it is destined to remain.
The leaves of ivy possess a nauseous taste, though in Germany they are employed as a specific in the atrophy of children. Among the lower class of people in England, they are applied to issues; and the Scotch Highlanders prepare an ointment from the leaves, which is much esteemed for the cure of burns.—The berries are of a fine gold colour, and possess a slight degree of acidity: when swallowed by children or adults, they occasion vomiting, diarrhœa, and profuse sweating.—The roots of this plant are employed by leather-cutters to whet their knives.—Böhmer informs us, that both the leaves and branches are useful in tanning.—Apricots and peaches, when covered with ivy during the month of February, have been observed to bear abundant fruit.—Horses and sheep eat the common ivy, but it is totally refused by cows and goats.
K.
KALE, the Sea, or Crambe, L. a genus of perennial plants comprising three species, one of which is a native of Britain, namely, the maritima, Cliff-kale, Sea-cabbage, or Sea Colewort. It grows on sandy soils, near the sea-coast, and flowers in the months of May and June.—This plant is relished by horses, cows, goats, hogs, and sheep. Its young and tender leaves are boiled and eaten as cabbage; but, when full grown, they frequently occasion giddiness.
The sea-kale is cultivated in many gardens as an esculent vegetable. It is also reared in pleasure-grounds, as a flowering perennial; because the stalks divide into fine branching heads of flowers. For either purpose, it is propagated by seeds, sown in autumn or spring in any common light soil, in which the plants are intended to remain. At the end of two years, they will produce shoots fit for use, and multiply exceedingly by the roots, which continue for many seasons.
KALENDAR, or Calendar, denotes either the distribution of time, accommodated to the purposes of life; or a table or almanack, comprising the order of days, weeks, months, &c.
There are various systems of chronological computation, according to the different forms of the year, and the division of time adopted in particular countries;
