also the articles Husbandry, Lands, Soil, and Tillage.
Arachis hypogæa. See Earth or Ground-Nut, and Chocolate.
Aranea. See Spider, and Barometer.
ARBOUR, in gardening, is a kind of shady bower, formerly in great esteem, but of late almost generally abandoned, on account of the damp and unwholesome shelter it affords.
Arbours are principally constructed of lattice-work, of wood or iron, and are frequently covered with elms, limes, and horn-beams, or with creepers, such as honey-suckles, jasmines, and passion-flowers; either of which will answer the desired purpose; though we by no means wish to countenance their re-introduction.
Arbutus. See Strawberry-Tree.
ARCANUM, strictly speaking, signifies any thing which is involved in mystery; but, in physic, it more usually denotes a remedy, the preparation of which is industriously concealed, either to enhance its value, or increase its reputation among the vulgar.—See Nostrum, and Specifics.
Archangel, Yellow. See Weasel-Snout.
ARCHERY is the art, or exercise, of shooting with a bow and arrow.
Among ancient nations, the bow was the principal instrument of war; and the skill of the archer often decided the fate of battles and of empires.
The English were particularly expert in the use of this instrument; and their ever memorable victories at the battles of Cressy and Poictiers, were chiefly ascribed to their valiant archers.
James the First of Scotland, who had seen and admired the dexterity of English archers, and was himself a skilful bowman, endeavoured to revive that exercise among his own subjects, by whom it had been neglected; but the untimely death of that excellent prince, prevented the effectual execution of this useful project.
In the time of Edward the Third, there was an act of parliament, which obliged our English archers, even in times of peace, to erect butts in every parish, and to shoot on Sundays and holidays. By this constant practice, the English armies possessed an exclusive advantage over their enemies.
Charles the First of England, from a treatise entitled "the Bowman's Glory," also appears to have been an archer. In the eighth year of his reign, he issued a commission to the Chancellor, Lord Mayor and Privy Council, to prevent the fields near London from being so inclosed, as "to interrupt the necessary and profitable exercise of shooting."
The use of the long-bow continued in estimation for more than two centuries after the introduction of gunpowder; which was probably owing to the weight and unwieldiness of muskets.
The distance to which an arrow may be shot from a long-bow, depends in a great degree on the strength and size of the archer, but in general is reckoned from eleven to twelve score yards.
Archers consider an arrow of from twenty to twenty-four drop weight, to be the best for flight, or hitting a mark at a considerable
distance;
