NETTLES AS FOOD, ETC. 125 



table. The Belgians and Germans use it for 

 this purpose more than we do. In this form 

 it is looked upon as a blood purifier. 



Sir Walter Scott mentions the fact that 

 the nettle was cultivated in Scotland as a 

 potherb. 



The young tops of nettles, when dried, form 

 a good food for cattle. The fresh tops are 

 enjoyed by pigs, and when chopped up they 

 make an excellent food for fowls and young 

 turkeys. Both the dried leaves and the seeds 

 are given to fowls in winter-time to make 

 them lay eggs. In Holland and other coun- 

 tries, horse-dealers mix seeds of nettles with 

 oats or other food to give the animals a sleek 

 coat. Many of the nettle tribe have medicinal 

 properties astringent, aperient, diuretic, &c. 

 The excellent fibres they produce are used for 

 making hemp, ropes, cordage, fishing-lines, 

 cloth, and even lace. Specimens of lace from 

 nettle fibre made by peasant women in Ire- 

 land may be seen in the chief museum in 

 Kew Gardens. 



Looking fairly at the shortcomings and the 



