TURF, a brown or blackish fossil, consisting of a rich earth combined with the fibrous roots of vegetables, mineral oils, &c.
Turf differs from peat, only in its harder consistence; the latter being obtained from peat-bogs, and the former is dug out of more solid ground, such as dry commons, on which cottagers exercise the right of turbary, by prescription: both species are chiefly used as fuel, in those counties where coal and wood are scarce. After the turf or peat are consumed, their ashes are employed either as Manure, or they may be advantageously strewed on land infected with Chafers. See vol. i. p. 485.—Farther, it appears from the experiment of M. Sage, that turf may be charred, or reduced to a state of cinder, in the same manner as Charcoal; and thus serve as an excellent substitute for the latter; because it not only burns with a more intense heat, but is also of a longer duration.
TURKEY, or Meleagris gallo-pavo, L. a bird originally from North America; but which has long been domesticated in Britain: it has a caruncle both on the head and throat; the breast of the male being tufted. When irritated, the feathers of this part are remarkably erected; the prominence on the forehead is relaxed; and the bare spots of the face and neck become uncommonly red.
Turkies subsist on grain and insects: early in the spring, the female frequently wanders to a considerable distance from the farm-yard, for the purpose of constructing her nest; where she deposits from 14 to 17 white eggs, marked with reddish or yellow freckles; but seldom produces more than one brood in a season. Great numbers of these birds are reared in the North of England; and, towards autumn, hundreds at a time are driven to the London market, by means of a scarlet shred of cloth, fastened to the end of a stick; which, from their antipathy to this colour, serves as a whip.
Turkies, being extremely delicate fowls, are much oppressed by cold: hence the Swedes plunge their chicks into cold water, soon after, or at least on the same day, when they are hatched; then force them to swallow one whole pepper-corn each; and restore them to the parent bird. Thus, they are enabled to resist the impressions of the severest winters, and their growth is not retarded.
Young turkies are liable to a peculiar disorder, which frequently and speedily proves fatal: on inspecting the rump-feathers, two or three of their quills will be found to contain blood; but, on drawing them out, the chick soon recovers; and afterwards requires no other care than common poultry.
Turkies are highly esteemed, on account of their delicate flavour; for their flesh is not so rank as that of either geese or ducks, and is likewise more nutritious.
TURMERIC, or Curcuma, L. a genus of exotic plants, comprehending two species, namely: 1. The rotunda, having a round fleshy root, similar to that of ginger; and 2. The longa, with long yellow roots, which spread to a considerable extent. Both are natives of India, whence their roots are annually imported by the East-India Company, paying 2l. per cent. according to their value; and a farther duty of 212d. per lb. for home consumption.
