194 Cultivation of the Arrow Root in the United States. 



have been, a long time, cultivated in the West India Islands. 

 The specimen which I send you appears to be the most supe- 

 rior article that I have ever seen of the kind, abounding in an 

 excess of nutritive qualities, and purity of appearance, sur- 

 passing that of the West Indies. 



An intelligent gentleman, Col. Halloes, and a favorite offi- 

 cer of Bolivar, has the honor, I believe, of being the first cul- 

 tivator of this plant, on a large scale, in our Union. He was 

 driven from his location in Florida by the Indians, after re- 

 ceiving a severe wound in the head by a rifle-shot ; he then 

 removed to Camden County, South Georgia, and entered at 

 once into the cultivation of this plant on a large scale : thus 

 you perceive this plant is gradually becoming acclimated in 

 our country, and I have no doubt but a few years will elapse 

 when we shall find it cultivated with success in latitude 36° 

 north. It grows well in a siliceous soil, on a light sandy loam, 

 resists the drought well, with more certainty of a crop than 

 either cotton or corn. 



I will take the pains to enter into a more minute detail of 

 the facts connected with the cultivation of this article, as 

 proven, amount per acre, &c., and have them reported through 

 you in the agricultural department. 



The Arrow Root obtains its name from the fact of the In- 

 dians using it to extract the virus communicated by their poi- 

 soned arrows. 



With great esteem, I am, dear sir, your obedient servant, 



Portland^ April 2, 1847. Augustus Mitchell. 



We acknowledge our indebtedness to General Dearborn for 

 the communication of Dr. Mitchell's Letter, and also for the 

 package of seed accompanying the same, which we shall make 

 a trial of, and report upon its growth at a future time. It will 

 give us great pleasure to publish the intended communication 

 of Dr. Mitchell in relation to the mode of cultivating the Ar- 

 row Root, the produce per acre, the process of manufacture, 

 and the probable profit as compared with cotton, corn, or 

 tobacco. Gen. Dearborn deserves the thanks of every friend 

 of agriculture for bringing this subject before the public, and 

 we trust his eflforts to introduce a new and important article 

 of commerce will be seconded by every intelligent cultiva- 

 tor.— £rf. 



