254 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



century ago the manufacture of coffee from the roasted root of 

 the chiccory was practiced in Holland. It long remained a secret 

 there, but now seems to be known almost the world over, as 

 every lover of coffee can testify, who has learned the peculiar 

 bitter, puckery taste of this root. To some it becomes so 

 agreeable that coffee without it tastes weak and insipid. It is 

 related of one coffee-dealer in London, who conscientiously gave 

 up the sale of coffee adulterated with chiccory, that he found 

 his customers all leaving him when he gave them nothing but 

 the pure article, and he was compelled to commence anew the old 

 fraud to regain his customers and his name as an honest man. 



It was estimated in 1850 that 12,000,000 pounds were con- 

 sumed in France, and large quantities exported. 12,500 tons 

 were raised in England, besides the quantities imported from 

 Ireland and the continent. That large quantities are consumed 

 in this country, we know ; how large, I have no means of deter- 

 mining. To develop a good root, the chiccory requires a deep, 

 good soil, well prepared. It seems to thrive best on calcareous 

 locations. It is sown in May, and harvested in October. 

 The leaves form a good fodder, but impart an unpleasant flavor 

 to the milk. 



The roots may be dug with a spade, piled in heaps, and 

 protected from frost till ready for use. They are generally cut 

 into strips and dried in a furnace, when they are fit for market. 

 They are afterwards burned, ground and sifted, and then some 

 Indian red or other coloring matter added to give the substance * 

 the appearance of coffee. It is sometimes used alone for coffee, 

 but generally as an adulteration. A good recipe, as given in 

 the proceedings of the American Pharmaceutical Society, in the 

 article on " Adulteration," is, — for prime old Java, GO pounds 

 of pease, 20 pounds of chiccory and 20 pounds of coffee. The 

 chiccory itself is subjected to extensive adulterations, — roasted 

 bread, acorns, corn, beans, beets, carrots, — almost everything 

 that can be roasted and ground being added, and Indian red 

 and brick-dust being put in to give the proper color. Chiccory 

 seems to have but little active principle, but its color and bitter 

 taste amuses people with the semblance of coffee. Probably 

 nine-tenths of all that is sold to the consumer is a cheat, being 

 sold as an adulteration. 



