No. 149.] 395 



It is difficult to determine, from the published statistics of im- 

 portation at the present time, the annual value of the import of 

 this article. In 1836,1 understand, it amounted to between 2 

 and 3,000,000 dollars. The consumption has undoubtedly more 

 than doubled since that time. It is certainly very remarkable, 

 that with an abundance of soil well adapted to its cultivation, 

 with a vast amount of agricultural labor annually bestowed on 

 uncertain and unprofitable crops, so little attention has been paid 

 to madder. It appears to me that it can only be attributed to a 

 want of knowledge as to the proper mode of its cultivation and 

 preparation. I have no doubt, Mr. President, that the exhibi- 

 tion of one successful crop would soon be followed by the produc- 

 tion of a supply sufficient to meet the demands of our own market. 

 That it will eventually be done, there can be very little doubt, 

 and the period can only be hastened by the dissemination of every 

 species of information relative to its culture. 



Allow me to remark, that one of the qualities of madder, which 

 much enhances its price, is the production of that peculiarly 

 brilliant color called Turkey red. Madder grown in soils which 

 are deficient in alkaline matter as a constituent, it is said, will 

 not produce this color ; nor is it so certain in producing what are 

 termed /a5^ colors of any kind, as that which is grown in soils 

 where alkaline substances abound. I cannot at this moment give 

 you my authority for these statements, nor is it important. The 

 condition and quality of vegetable dyes, undoubtedly, to a certain 

 extent, depend on some one or more constituents of the soil in 

 which they are grown, and these constitute the peculiar virtue 

 which render them most valuable. 



Benjamin Pike, Sen'r. — Mr. Heaton of Herkimer county, has 

 raised madder there for about seven years past. He finds that in 

 the fourth year madder is worth sixty per cent more than in any 

 less time. I think that Mr. Heaton raises two thousand pounds 

 an acre. 



Judg Van \Yyck. — England has raised some of it, but has 

 found it cheaper to import than to raise it j she has not land to 

 spare from her more necessary vegetable crops. 



