Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-09-03
sieio ano 6arbem.


Try THEM. pertinent to this
Column Of our paper VIC reccmend that
purchases be made of the following
Houses
Agricultural implements, and Seeds
for garden and field, r. Sinclair & Co.,
Il. Whitman & Sons, and N. W.
Slade & Co., Baltimore, p. III. Stark
aud Watt & knight, Richmond, and G.
Billups, Norfolk, Va.
The PREsBRvATIvR POWER OF
FERNs.-For many years, in England,
ferns have heen employed as a means
of preserving fruit which is to be trans.
ported 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 vege-
tables for the city markets. u
In this country there is comparative.
ly speaking, but little use made of them.
Our fields aud hillsides, are covered
with their bright-green plumes aud in
the economy Of nature, there surely must
be found gap for then 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 preserva.
tive power Both the bracken and the
male fern abound in alkaline matter
which was formerly used by soap and
glass manufactures in England and
their aslringent properties are well
known to the dressers of leather.
The aroma Of this genus OF plant is
repuguant to most insects, and inimical
to the growth of that species of fungi
known as mould, hence, the leaves
could not bat be of use in packing thuse
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 we're laid be-
tween the truit, We think it would arrive
at its destination in good order, and
there would be no complaints about its
dec'y.
The peculiar odor thrown off by ferns
is familiar to all who have gathered and
pressed their fronds 1t is slightly aro,
matte, and very agreeable. 1t is due
10 al essential oil contained therein
All Of us who dabblc in paste know
well that few drops Of eseutial Of any
kind will prevent, to greater extent,
the growth Of fungi upon its sprfsce.
Would no: fern leaves boiled vita il
prove equally preservativeg
The root Of male fern( Lostrea flr
mas, when administered in the form
OF a powder, is a prompt sntbelmintic,
aud, 1t is said, will destroy even the /
tape worm
In some parts of Germany and Den
mark, beech-leavcs are used to stuff /
mattresses, because Aeas and bugs cannot
exist in tbcm. Would not :hen dried
leaves Of the brackon and fern which
abonnd in all our farming districts be
found great improvement upon the
rye,s'raw 30 extensively in use for bod.
ling.Y
They would certainly be preferable
20 tue spIlt corn'husks AMI The excel.
'ior' stufhng 30 extensively employed
BY the uphOlsterers.
If they would prove deadly TO hugs
lud moths, they would certainly crenIe
! new era in bedding aud furniture, and
night porye valuable to the furrier
Tie young fronds of the male fern.
when cooked aud served ON toast. like
asparagus, are said to greatly resemble
hat vegetable Dried ferns would also
re valuable protection against cold,
nd would preserve delicate shrubs and
oses, as we'll as the hemlock -branchee,
which are SO extensively used for that
purpose.
In somerset county, England, they
&c IN great request for covering potu-
D "burios," in lieu or straw, aud are
lid TO resist all mould aud dampuess.
Ne hope our readers 10 the coming
eason will test this preservative powers
nd secure this valuable remedy againt,
ne pests Of mildew, moth, aud mould.
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