308 Hints fcn^ Improvements. 



Washing Watercresses. — A countryman was seized with the most ex- 

 cruciating pains in his stomach, and which continued for so long a period, 

 that his case became desperate, and his life was even despaired of. In this 

 predicament, the medical gentleman to whom he applied administered to 

 him a most violent emetic, and the result was the ejection of the larva in 

 question, and which remained alive for a quarter of an hour after its expul- 

 sion. Upon questioning the man as to how it was likely that the insect got 

 into his stomach, he stated that he was exceedingly fond of watercresses, 

 and often gathered and eat them, and, possibly, without taking due care 

 in freeing them from any aquatic insects they might hold. He was also in 

 the frequent habit of lying down and drinking the water of any clear rivulet 

 when he was thirsty; and thus, in anyof these ways, the insect, in its smaller 

 state, might have been swallowed, and remained gradually increasing in size 

 until it was ready for the change into the beetle state ; at times, probably, 

 preying upon the inner coat of the stomach, and thus producing the severe 

 pains complained of by the sufferer. (Gill's Technological Rej)ository.) 



We are surprised we do not hear more of the effects of swallowing the 

 eggs or larva of insects, along with raw salads of different kinds. We would 

 strongly recommend all families who can afford it, to keep in their sculleries 

 a cistern of salt water, or, if they will take the trouble of renewing it fre- 

 quently, of lime and water ; and to have all vegetables to be used raw, first 

 plunged in this cistern for a minute, and then washed in pure fresh water. 

 The paper of our correspondent Mr. Simpson, on the subject of washing 

 salads (Vol. I. p. 29.), is one of the most useful that has appeared in our 

 work, and ought not to be forgotten either by gardeners or cooks. 



To dissipate Symptoms of Intoxication. ~VvX 25 or 30 drops of acetate 

 of ammonia into a glass of sugared water, and if, after drinking one glass, 

 the symptoms do not entirely disappear, repeat the dose with a few addi- 

 tional drops. {Archives des Decouvertes.) 



Summer Drink for Labourers. — Mix a spoonful of honey with the same 

 quantity of spirit, and add a quart of water, by little at a time, so that they 

 may mix intimately. This drink is said to be stimulant, nourishing, and 

 effective in quenching thirst. {Bui. Un.) 



Vertical Cylinders, with a floating lid to sink as the liquor is drawn off, 

 are recommended as a substitute for common beer barrels. The advantages 

 are obvious, and are recognised by those home-brewers who keep their beer 

 in casks set on end, the head formed on the surface of the liquor, serving as 

 the floating lid of the German economist referred to_, and thus, in effect, 

 preserving the beer as effectually as if the cask were constantly full. 

 {M. Franziiis in CEconom, Neuiglc, 1827, No. 1.) _ 



Extinction of Fires. — When a chimney or flue is on fire, throw into the 

 fire-place one handful after another of flower of sul{)hur. This, by its com- 

 bustion, effects the decomposition of the atmospheric air, which is, in con- 

 sequence, paralysed, or in effect, annihilated. {Cadet-de-Vaux.) 



Art. VIII. Hints for Improvements. 



Gardens of the Town. — Sir, In my frequent visits to the metropolis, my 

 attention, as a gardener, is often called to the little courts before the houses 

 in the neighbourhood of town. They are generally clothed with grass, 

 which is seldom well kept ; and, indeed, as it is too small to be rolled, never 

 looks neat and well. A better thing than this, in my mind, would be, to 

 sow the v/hole with mignonette, and scatter a few larkspur seeds among it ; 

 and, if plenty of crocuses, snowdrops, winter aconites, and Chrysanthemum 

 indicum of different colours, were planted in them, the streets would look 



