214 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



separated. The chief disease of weld is the mildew, to 

 which it is very liable when young, and this is the reason 

 that it is often sown with other crops." 



S U M A C H. (Rhits glabrum, R. conarin and E. cot-inns.) 



The Rhus Glabrum is the common sumach of the United 

 States which grows spontaneously on fertile soils. It is con- 

 siderably used by dyers, and the tanners of light leather. 

 It is however much inferior to the R. Coriaria or Sicilian 

 sumach, which is imported into this country from Spain, 

 Portugal, Sicily, Syria and elsewhere, and sells at from $50 

 to $120 per ton. It is a dwarf, bushy shrub, smaller than 

 the American, but with much larger leaves. These with 

 the seed cones and young stems are all used by the manu- 

 facturers. The R. cotinus or Venice sumach, is the fringe 

 tree or burning bush, a shrub for ornamental grounds, bear- 

 ing a flossy, drab-colored blossom. It is known in England 

 as young fustic, and is much used in the arts. 



CULTIVATION AND TREATMENT. All the sumachs are 

 propagated by layers, though it is probable they might, under 

 favorable circumstances, be raised from the seed. On good 

 soils they grow in great profusion. The harvesting consists 

 simply in cutting off the young branches with the leaves and 

 seed cones attached, in clear weather, drying them thoroughly 

 without exposure to either rain or dew, and packing them in 

 bales of about 160 Ibs. for market. 



The sumach is highly astringent, often taking the place 

 of galls. This quality is much enhanced by warmth of cli- 

 mate ; and the most valuable article is brought from the most 

 southern regions. There, is no doubt this species of plants 

 might be cultivated with great profit in the southern states, 

 and thus save the large amount annually expended in its 

 rmportat ion, which is constantly increasing. The total 

 importation is now estimated at between one and two millions 

 of dollars per annum. 



THE TEASEL OR FULLER'S THISTLE (Dipsacus fullonum) 



Is another article exclusively used by the manufacturers, f$r 

 the purpose of raising a nap, or combing out the fibres upon 

 the dressed surface of woolen cloth or flannels. The con- 

 sumption cannot of course be extensive, being limited exclu- 

 sively to this demand. There is but one kind cultivated. 

 A bastard variety of spontaneous growth exists in portions 



