THE EMIGRANT'S HAND-BOOK. 317 



Mr. Swift was one of the earliest settlers of that section 

 of the country, having resided nearly thirty years on the 

 farm he now occupies, which consists of about 400 acres 

 of choice land, mostly alluvial, in the valley of the Ver- 

 million river, seven miles from Lake Erie. At my re- 

 quest, he furnished me with the following practical direc- 

 tions for the cultivation of madder, which he remarked 

 must be understood as intended for those who wish to 

 cultivate only a few acres, and cannot afford much outlay 

 of capital. Those who wish to engage in the business on 

 an extensive scale, would need to adopt a somewhat dif- 

 ferent practice : 



Soil and preparation. The soil should be a deep, rich, 

 sandy loam, free from weeds, roots, stones, etc. Containing 

 a good portion of vegetable earth. Alluvial "bottom" 

 land is the most suitable ; but it must not be wet. If old 

 upland is used, it should receive a heavy coating of veg- 

 etable earth, (from decayed wood and leaves.) The land 

 should be ploughed very deep in the fall, and early in the 

 spring apply about one hundred loads of well- rotted 

 manure per acre, spread evenly, and ploughed in deeply ; 

 then harrow till quite fine and free from lumps. Next, 

 plough the land into beds four feet wide, leaving alleys be- 

 tween, three feet wide, then harrow the beds with a fine 

 light harrow, or rake them by hand so as to leave them 

 smooth, and even with the alleys; they are then ready 

 for planting. 



Preparing Sets and planting. Madder sets, or seed 

 roots, are best, selected when the crop is dug in the fall. 

 The horizontal uppermost roots (with eyes) are the kind 

 to be used ; these should be separated from the bottom 

 roots, and buried in sand in a cellar or pit. If not done 

 in the fall, the sets may be dug early in the spring, before 

 they begin to sprout. They should be cut or broken into 



