The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-07-29
The PreservatIve Power OF Ferns.

For many years, in England, ferns have
been employed as 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 all who have gathered and
pressed their fronds. 1t is slightly aro-
matte, and very agreeable. Is it due to
an essential oil contained therein2 All of
us who dabble in paste know well that a
few drops of essential oil of any kind will
prevent, to great extent, the growth of
fungi upon its surface. Would not fern
leaves boiled with it prove equally pre-
sentative
The root of the male fern (Lastreq Mir
maS), when administered in the form of a
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 fleas and bugs cannot ex-
ist among them Would not the dried
leaves of the bracken and fern which
abound in all our farming districts be
found great improvement upon the rye
straw 30 extensively In use IOr DeuOlng!
They would certainly be preferable to
the split corn-husks and the Excelsior
stuf1ng so extensively employed by the
upholsterers.
If they would prove deadly to bugs and
moths, they would certainly create 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 dampness. We hope
our readers in the coming season will test
their preservative power, and secure this
valuable remedy against the pests of mil
dew, meth, and mould.-Hearh and Home