The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-08-06
The Preservative Power Of Ferns.

FoR many years, in England, ferns have
been employed as q means Of preserving
fruit which is to be transported to any
distance. Their use tends to prevent
mould and decay. They are also much
used in packing fish TO send from the
coast to London; also to line the hampers
which contain fresh vegetables for the
city, markets.
IN this country there is, comparatively
speaking, but little use made of them.
Our fields and hillsides are covered with
their bright green plumes; and in the
economy of nature, there surely must be
found some gap for them to fill. We be
lieve that there is no plant growing ON
the earth which has not its utility.
There can be little doubt but what
ferns contain some peculiar preservative
power. Both the bracken and the male
fern abound in alkaline matter which was
formerly used by soap and glass manufac-
turers in England and their astringent
properties are well known to the dressers of
leather.
The aroma of this genus of plants is re-
pugnant to most insects, and inimical to
the growth of that species Of fungi known
as mould hence, the leaves could not but
be Of use in packing those fruits liable to
its attack.
They might be made available by our
peach growers in sending their fruit to
market. If the baskets were lined with
the leaves, and they were laid between
the fruit, we think it would arrive at its
destination in good order, and there would
be no complaints about its decay.
The peculiar odor thrown off by ferns
is familiar to al who have gathered and
pressed their fronds It is slightly aro-
matte, and very agreeable. Is it due to
an essential oil contained thereinf All of
few drops of essential oil of any kind will
fungi upon its surface. Would not fern
leaves boiled with it prove equally pre-
sentative?
The root of the male fern (Lastrea fiz
nas), when administered in the form of q
powder, is prompt anthelmintic, and, it
is said, will destroy even the tape-worm.
In some parts of Germany and Den
mark, beech-leaves are used to stuff mat
tresses, because heas and bugs canno. ex-
list among them Would not the dried
leaves of the bracken and fern which
abound in all our farming districts be
icuuu SIcot Improvement upon TIC rye
straw 80 extensively in use for bedding
They would certainly be preferable to
the split corn-husks and the Excelsior
stuf1og so extensively employed by the
upholsterers.
If they would prove deadly to bugs and
moths, they would certainly create a new
era in bedding and furniture, and might
prove valuable to the furrier.
The young fronds of the male fern, when
cooked and served on toast, like aspara-
gus, are said to greatly resemble that vege-
table. Dried ferns would also be valua-
bic protection against cold, and would
preserve delicate shrubs and roses, as well
as the hemlock- branches, which are so
extensively used for that purpose.
In Somerset County. England, they are
in great request for covering potato bu-
ries," in lieu of straw, and are said to
resist all mould and dsmpness We hope
our readers in the coming season will test
their preservative power, snd secure this
valuable remedy against the pests of mil
dew, moth, and mould. -HearM and Home.