No. 149.] 159 



We refer particularly to the mode adopted by the "Society 

 d'Encouragement," and the " Societe Industrielle" of Mulhouse. 

 The latter society has done more, probably, than any institution 

 in the world to improve calico printing. In fact, they have ele- 

 vated it to the diaaity of one of the fine arts. There is nothing 

 which the French printers will not achieve under the amazing 

 stimulus imparted to their industry by that Institution. We see 

 the effect in the new tissues, new colors, and new designs which 

 are every year appearing, and which make both the English and 

 American printer subject to the French printer. 



One of the subjects which we take the liberty of recommending 

 to the especial notice of the Institute is the cultivation of Madder 

 in this country. Madder should no longer be brought to the 

 American printer, at vast expense, across the Atlantic. The rich 

 bottoms along our western rivers will grow madder of far better 

 quality than can be grown in Europe. The cost of cultivation 

 here would also be less than in Europe ; for, in the first place, 

 the land costs nothing here, and in the second place, it requires 

 little or no artificial enriching. There is also a decided advan- 

 tage in the intense heat of our summers which would allow the 

 roots to be dried in the open air instead of by artificial heat, 

 which injures the coloring principle. The madder consumed in 

 this country, annually, amounts to nearly ^2,000,000. This 

 amount, if madder was grown here, would go into the pockets of 

 our farmers, and would do more than any thing else to eradicate 

 their prejudices against American calico. Not only that. It is 

 our conviction that it would be found that madder could be cul- 

 tivated sn much better and so much cheaper here than on the worn 

 out lauds of Europe, tliat in. a few years we should supply Great 

 Britain, Germany, and even France herself. 



We enclose a list of such prizes as we think would awaken 

 attention, and stimulate invention in our branch of industry. 

 We also send a list of the printing establishments, of the correct- 

 ness of which (owing to the constant fluctuations in this business) 

 "we cannot vouch, nor are we able to give the annual production 

 of each with anything like accuracy, without an application to 

 each printer. 



