264 AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 



much seed as may be necessary for stocking half a dozen 

 acres. 



(For further information on this extensive subject the reader is referred 

 to the various works on practical agriculture ; the Patent Office Reports, 

 especially the vols. for 1846, pp. 740-754, and 1849, pp. 318-326, con 

 taining a Prize Essay, by W. W. W. Borne of Maryland, and for the 

 manufacture, to Knapp s Technology, vol. iii.) 



583. THE CASTOR OIL PLANT, PALMA CHRISTI, (Ritinus 

 communis,) belongs to the JEuphorbiacea, or Spurge family ; 

 a family which contains the Croton Bean, and many other med 

 ical plants. 



It is a native of India, but has been known from the earliest antiqui 

 ty, seeds of it having been found in some Egyptian Sarcophagi, and it 

 was used by the Gieeks. It is naturally a perennial, attaining the height 

 of 15 or 20 feet, with a thick stem ; but in cold climates it becomes an 

 annual, not more than 3 to 6 feet high. There are many instances of 

 perennial plants becoming annuals by change of climate, as is the case 

 with the common English daisey when transplanted to, or grown from 

 seed in India. There are 5 distinct varieties or species, differing chiefly 

 in the color and pruinous condition of the stem, and the quantity of oil 

 yielded by the seed. 



584. This plant is cultivated to some extent in Indiana, Illi 

 nois, Georgia, and other States enjoying a like temperature. 

 The only useful part is the seed, or &quot; bean, from which an oil 

 is expressed, to be used in medicine ; for the manufacture of 

 hair-oil by barbers ; for machinery ; and for burning. In its com 

 mon state, the odor and taste are exceedingly disagreeable, but 

 these can be eradicated by refining. The American oil is of 

 very fine quality, and has a less unpleasant flavor than the East 

 Indian ; but it is often objected to by Druggists in consequence 

 of its depositing a solid fat in cold weather. (Pereira.) 



585. No analysis of any value to the Farmer has been pub 

 lished. 



586. A good crop will yield 35 bushels of beans per acre, and 

 the oil will be from 25 to 60 per cent according to the goodness 

 of the seed and manufacture. The cultivation is similar to that 



