94 



DYER'S MADDER. 



Tlie following facts, bearing upon tlie adaptability and profit of madder cul- 

 ture in this country, were communicated to the Senate Committee on Agricul" 

 ture, at its request : 



Depart.mext of Agriculture, 



Washington, D. C, February 28, 1866. 



Sir: In response to your request for "all statistics upon the present cultiva- 

 tion of the madder plant in the United States and elsewhere, the demand for 

 it, the climate and soil suited to its growth," and any suggestions of "such 

 measures as in your (my) opinion will promote the object of this inquiry," I 

 beg leave to make the following statements : 



With the extension of manufactures in this country the demand for dyers' 

 madder {Rubia tinctoria) is increased; and it becomes an interesting inquiry, 

 Avhether the million of dollars, (or it may be two millions or more annually ia 

 the future,) now paid to foreign producers, may not be saved to the industry of 

 the country. 



IMPORTS. 



Twenty years ago the imports of madder were so considerable as to induce 

 experiments in its culture and preparation. From a statement made in 1848 

 there was imported into New York in eighteen months from January 1, 1845, 

 and into Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, in twenty-one months from the 

 same date, an aggregate of 16,804,715 pounds, costing $1,620,415, or about ten 

 cents per pound. 



In the statistics of the commerce and navigation division of the treasury, from 

 which the following table is compiled, the quantity given for the first three years 

 (though the class is not specified) is presumed to be "ground or prepared." 



Statement of unports of madder into the United States from 1855 to 1864 



inclusive. 



' Including India madder. 



t Including extract of logwood also. 



The largest portion of this importation comes from France. Holland, Bel- 

 gium and Turkey furnish much of the remainder. ^These prices are those 



