266 AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 



it up. The after culture, for that season, consists in keeping the 

 beds perfectly free from weeds, by the hoe. In the tall, when 

 the stems are decaying, they are cut down, and a light dressing 

 of rotten manure is spread on the surface. Early the following 

 Spring, dig lightly between the rows, taking care not to injure 

 the roots. During the second and third summers, the only la 

 bor is hoeing to kill the weeds. 



590. At the end of three years the roots are fit for harvesting ; 

 which is done when the stalks are fully decayed. Begin by 

 digging at one end of the rows, and so take up all the roots. 

 When they are collected, the small side shoots are trimmed off, 

 and preserved in dry sand in a cellar for fresh &quot;sets&quot;; and the 

 large roots are prepared for sale. They are offered in three 

 shapes the entire root the same dried and ground to powder 

 and the inspissated juice. The sooner liquorice is sold the 

 heavier it weighs ; and the greener it is the more virtue it con 

 tains. An acre has sometimes produced 4000 to 5000 Ibs. of 

 roots, valued at $400 to $500. (Jour, of the U. S. Ayricul, 

 Socy. July 1853, p. 53.) 



591 . There are various other plants which have been recommended 

 for cultivation in the United States, which have not yet been introduced 

 to any extent, such as (a,) Madia Saliva, grown in Germany for its oil ; 

 (b,}3fyagrum Sativa, Gold of Pleasure, also cultivated in Europe for oil ; 

 and in England for Sheep-feed and oil, as it may be pastured early and 

 yield a good crop of seed afterwards. It is perfectly hardy in the neigh 

 borhood of Detroit, beaiing the coldest weather, and being among the 

 first flowers in Spring to blossom. In the South of Europe it gives two 

 crops in a season. (See Patent Office Report 1846, page 314 ; Thaw s 

 Princ.ofAgricul.ii.5%8. (&amp;lt;,) The Bene Plant, (Sesamum Orientale,) 

 cultivated in South Carolina and Georgia for its oil, which is as good 

 as that of the Olive for table use; andthe leaf is employed as a cure for sum 

 mer diarrhoaain children. (d,~) Madder, (RubiaTinctorum,} and (e,) Indi 

 go, used in dyeing, the former remaining 2 or 3 years in the ground be 

 fore harvesting : both of these require a warm climate. (/,) Dyer s 

 Weld (Reseda Luteola,} grown in Germany as a dye ; the cultivation is 

 represented as both easy and profitable, (g,} Dyer s Woad, (Isatistinc- 



