394 [Assembly 



Silk is seldom dyed witli madder, because cochineal affords 

 brighter tints. The most brilliant and fastest madder red, is the 

 Turkey or Adrianople. Wool alumed, takes in the madder bath 

 a red color, which is not so bright as the cochineal red, but it is 

 faster and far cheaper. The British soldier's coats are so dyed. 



In consequence of the Socicte Industrielle of Mulhausen, hav- 

 ing offered in the year 1826 large premiums for the investigation 

 of madder, many competitors appeared, but the premiums were 

 renewed to obtain more knowledge of madder; 2,000 francs were 

 offered. Haussraann, of Colmar, first discovered that adding 

 chalk to the dye bath he produced beautiful and solid reds." 



We possess the books and it is well to quote all that is useful 

 or agreeable, for the benefit of those wlio have neither the 

 books nor the time to study them. Like Smithson we wish to 

 diffuse knowledge among men according to the charter under 

 which this Institute exists. 



Judge Van Wyck. — I believe that the shortest time in which 

 madder will require (in our State and those more northerly) to 

 make fast colors, will be four years— perhaps three may do it. 

 In reference to the value of it as a crop, considering the ready 

 and increasing market fur it, I have no doubt that it will long 

 continue to reward the careful cultivator of it. It must be done 

 on soils either naturally or artificially rich, as has been remark- 

 ed at the club recently. Show it to be profitable, and our far- 

 mers will take it up. 



Gen. Chandler presented a sample of ground madder. 



Gen. Chandler. — Here is a specimen of madder, grown by Mr. 

 Gilyam, on Long Island. Mr. G. has been engaged in the cultiva- 

 tion of this plant in Holland, and is undoubtedly well acquaint- 

 ed with it, with the most suitable soil, and the proper method of 

 bringing the plant to perfection, as well as the most approved mode 

 of preparing it for the market. This specimen is the growth of 

 two years, and Mr. Gilyam says he can produce 3000 pounds per 

 acre, at a cost not exceeding 3 cents a pound. If this be so, it is 

 very certain that it would be a most profitable crop, as its price 

 in our market ranges from ten to fifteen cents a pound. 



