Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/25

RUS months of July and August. — ^Tlils species is injurious to cows. It frequently abounds in pools to such a degree, as to form floating islands by its interwoven roots : the stalks attain from two to six feet in height, and are principally em- ployed as a substitute for straw in thatching houses ; for which pur- pose they are better adapted. RUST, denotes t!ie calces, or vulgarly the flowers of metals, which are generally produced by exposure to moist air, or in damp Bituationsj though the former may also be obtained avtiticially, by cor- roding or dissolving metals, in a proper Menstruum (which see) 5 and in which case it is termed a magistery. Having already pointed out (vol. iii. p. 30), a few general methods of preserving iron from rust, we shall, at present, only add a receipt by which the latter may be re- moved. It consists in combining a certain proportion of quick-lime with mutton fat, into balls, which niu^t be rubbed on the utensil, till it has entirely obliterated the rust : after this coating has remained for a few days on the metal, it is re- moved with coarse flannel or other rugs; when another composition, made of equal parts of charcoal, red calx of vitriol, and drying oil, is applied by continued fridion, till the surface be restored to its pris- tine brightness. RUST, or RuBiGO, in vegetable economy, is a disorder atteding certain plants. It consists of a fer- fuginous powder scattered beneath the leaves, principally of the Ladies- mantle, Stone- bramble, and Rag- wort, especially if these vegetables grow in a burnt, woody soil. Dr. Darwin conjeftures the iruf't to be a fungus, similar to the RYE [5 MILDEW, which resembles certain kinds of liverwort, and grows be- neath the leaves of plants that are previously diseased. He conceives that it may be prevented, or de- stroyed, by exposing such vegeta- bles to greater light and ventilation, in the manner already described, vol. iii. p. 198. lluTA-BAGA. See Turnip. RYE, or Secale, L. a genus of exotic plartLs, comprising live spe- cies, one of which only is raised in Britain, namely, the Cercale, or Common Rye. It was supposed by LiNN.iius to be a native of the lale of Candia, whence it is said to have been introduced into Britain ; but it is doubdess a northern plant, as it thrives and flourishes most luxuriantly in cold climates. The common rye is divided into two varieties, viz. the Spring, White, or Silvery Ryej and the Winter, or Black Rye. Both are propagated from seed in the pro- portion of 2 or 2| Winchester bushels per acre, generally on poor, dry lime-stone, or sandy soils, where wheat does not thrive ; and, if it be sown on such lauds two or three successive years, it will at the end of that period rii)en a mondi earlier dian such as has, for a long series of years, been raised from strong, cold ground. I'hc proper season for committ-: ing the se^ to the earth, depends greatly on the nature of the rye : that for spring or white grain, is from February to March ; as that for the black or winter rye, is from the middle of September to- the latter end of Odobcr, in South Britiun. Both these varieties, how- ever, are advantageously sown to- gether with wheat, at the rate of one peck of rye with one busloel of wheat : the seed of the former B3 is