THE SUMACH. 



THE SUMACH. 



BY WM. R. TEINCE, FLUSHING, N. T. 



As a spirit seems now most appropriately awakening toward the development of 

 the natural resources of our country, we may hope ere long to realize the noblest 

 aspirations of the noblest man our country has produced, carried out to a conclusive 

 result, by rendering our country independent of all foreign supplies of such commo- 

 dities as may be readily produced from our own soil. 



Sumach is one of the articles which we have hitherto imported largely, and I there- 

 fore send you some explanatory remarks on the subject. The Sicilian Tanver's 

 Sumach is a rather tender shrub for any latitude north of New York. It would 

 succeed in New Jersey, and to the south of it. 



With regard to our native Sumach, we have four, and perhaps five, species that 

 possess a suflBciency of tannin to render them valuable for domestic use and for com- 

 merce. It will be requisite to test them all, in order to select the preferable species 

 for extensive culture. 



The species found so common in neglected fields and along the road-sides, is the 

 Rhus glahrum^ producing crimson berries in large clusters ; and it is this which has 

 been already made use of, to some extent — more especially in Connecticut and other 

 eastern States. Its usual hight is about four and a half feet. 



A taller growing species is also quite common, and is the Ithus tt/j^himcm. It 

 usually attains the hight of ten to twelve feet, or more, with small clusters of dingy 

 red berries. 



A third species is Ehus C02)allinu77i, which is quite common in dry woods and 

 fields, more especially where the soil is sandy. This species has more resemblance to 

 the Sicilian Sumach than any other American species, in its foliage, and its gray bark 

 and growth. It attains a hight ''of seven to eight feet, and produces dull reddish 

 berries, in small clusters. I should incline to the belief that this is the preferable 

 native species for tanning ; and fortunately it is disseminated far to the south and 

 west, though seldom found north of New York. The Indians of the Mississippi and 

 Missouri make use of the leaves of this species as tobacco. 



A fourth species is Hhus aromaticum, which is not found in this State, ex to the 

 north or east of it. Its most northern limit is Pennsylvania, thence extending to 

 Carolina and to Kentucky. This is a shrub of about four feet in hight, with trifoliate 

 leaves, which distinguish it from all the other species. It grows naturally in moist 

 localities. The leaves, when rubbed, omit a very strong odor. 



The four species I have described, all possess tannin to a greater or less extent. 



A fifth species, in regard to which I have doubts, is the Rhus vcrnix, or Poison 

 Sumach tree. This is found usually in low grounds, and attains a height of eight to 

 feet. The leaves are pinnate, and resemble those of the Ash so much that it is ^ 

 - called Poison Ash. Its berries are white. Every part of this small tree is poi- v^ 



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