them of all glutinous or viscid matters; so that their exhalation may not be impeded.
MILL.—In September, 1801, a pateat was granted to Mr. Zachariah Barratt, for a portable mill, designed to grind corn; and which may be worked either by wind, water, or horses. This contrivance differs from the common mills, chiefly in the following particulars: 1. That its size may be enlarged, or reduced according to circumstances; the whole running on castors; 2. The mill-shaft is moved by a crown wheel, containing three notched orbits, eacn being at some distance within the other; and which wheel may, by a slight alteration, be constructed so as to be set in motion, either by sails, by horses, or by water; and lastly, the machine may, if required, be conveniently erected at the gable end of a barn.—A more particular account of this mechanical invention is given in the 16th volume of the "Repertory of Arts," &c. where the apparatus is illustrated with an engraving.
Another patent was lately granted to Mr. Thomas Wright, for a Hand Stone Corn Mill. The frame of the machine is three feet square, and three and a half feet in height: the stones are 18 inches in diameter, and are inclosed in a tub, supported by two cross-bearers. Beneath these stones, there is a lever, in which is inserted an iron pin; that passes through the centre of the bed-stones, and communicates with various machinery, that sets the whole in motion.—Our limits not permitting us to detail its constituent parts, we can only add, that a drawer containing three sieves is placed under the stones, for the reception and sifting of the meal. The price of this mill is 16, or, with the drawers and sieves, 17 guineas; and the machine is asserted to grind six bushels of grain, in one day, with perfect ease.—A farther account of Mr. W.'s ingenious contrivance may be found in the 38th vol. of "Annals of Agriculture," where his description is illustrated with an appropriate plate.—See also Water-mills; in this Appendix.
MOSS.—This vegetable production being very detrimental to the growth and health of fruit-trees, Mr. Forsyth advises it to be carefully removed in the months of February or March; after which the scraped trees must be washed with a mixture of fresh cow-dung, urine, and soap-suds.—If this operation be repeated in autumn, when the trees are destitute of leaves, it will not only prevent the production of moss, but will also destroy the eggs of numerous insects, that would otherwise be hatched; while it contributes essentially to promote vegetation.
N.
NETTLE.—Some interesting experiments have lately been made by M. Zannetini, in Italy; from which it appears, that the flowers and seeds of the Common Nettle may, with efficacy, be substituted for the Peruvian bark, in all febrile affections, especially in tertian and
