Madder.

American Farmer 18.4.1828

(From the American Daily Advertiser.)

Belmont, March 21, 1828.

Mr. Poulson,

Please to publish the letter I herewith transmit for public benefit. The writer merits and will re ceive the thanks of the society, for his patriotic en deavour to introduce into our country, a most valuable dye-stuff. It will be too late in the season to wait for a regular meeting of the society, in order to obtain their directions for the distribution of the roots. I have, therefore, requested the secretary, Mr. William S. Warder, by and with the advice of the vice presidents and curators, to cause the roots to be distributed to and among such applicants as in their judgment, will do justice in their cultivation.

I have long been convinced, that an entire change in the farming of those who live near, or within an extensive circuit around our city, will conduce to their essential and indispensable advantage, and to the prosperity of the city, which will become one of the first manufacturing cities in the United States, when the inland supplies of coal, iron and other native products arrive at full perfection. Dye stuffs will then be most indispensably required.

It therefore behoves our farmers and gardeners, immediately to begin the cultivation of all such articles as will be in extensive demand; none thereof will be more important than the madder. It requires time (three years,) to perfect its qualities; and it delights in deep, light or alluvial soils, either artificially so made, or naturally deep, and some what meist. Such are our meadows and vallies, every where to be found.

Although the time required for its full perfection, may seem forbidding, yet every thing must have a spirited and zealous beginning. At the end of the first year, the offsets, from the original root, will furnish ample supplies for extended cultivation, and thus large plantations may be made. Mean time the leaves are eagerly devoured by cattle, where cut and delivered to them twice per day, or according to their forwardness of growth. Leaving the heart-shoots uncut, will conduce to the health and increase of the root. If required, ample directions for its culture will be published.

Yours, truly,
RICHARD PETERS,
President Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture.

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Providence, March 5, 1828.
To the President of the
Pennsylvania Agricultural Society:

Sir, — You will receive herewith, a hamper of madder-roots of the best quality, raised in Holland. They were purchased by me in Amsterdam, with a view of propagating them in this country, where they will thrive as well as in Europe, from whence our manufacturers derive, at present, their supply of this valuable dye-stuff. The cultivation of madder has not, to my knowledge, been attempted in the United States. Feeling assured, that by a little attention to the culture of this plant, our country may be rendered independent of foreign nations for a supply of it, should it not eventually even prove a profitable staple article of export I am induced to forward this small parcel to you for an experiment, with the conviction that under the auspices of your society, every attention will be paid to the subject, which its importance seems to demand.

I am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

ZACHARIAH ALLEN.