172 [Assembly 



the madder used in the dyes. Her production of madder now sup- 

 plies her own demands, and furnishes a new agricultural product for 

 extensive exportation. France, I believe, supplies our country with 

 madder. Its growth is suited to our climate, and to the rich lands on 

 our rivers. The attention of our farmers should be turned to this -as 

 a new and very profitable crop. A few years of peace in Europe, 

 and the agricultural and mechanical laborers of its subjects will sur- 

 charge our markets with their productions. It is a duty to supply^ 

 from among ourselves^ our own wants. We have every variety of 

 soil and climate." 



'Attempts were made as early as 1836, to introduce its culture in the 

 United States, but with what success, we are uninformed. The cost 

 of importations about that period, exceeded $2,000,000 per annum. 

 Some account of its cultivation here may be found in the Farmers' 

 Cabinet, 1836, vol. 1, p. 280. 



STUYVESANT PEAR TREE. 



This venerable tree, of wmch we procured the annexed drawing in 

 January last, stands on the corner of Third Avenue and Thirteenth- 

 street, in the city of New- York. It was planted about the year 1646, 

 by Peter Stuyvesant, at that time Governor of New Netherlands, and 

 has existed in a remarkably thrifty contUtion over 200 years. In 

 regard to the quality of its fruit we have no information, but under- 

 stand that it bears annually. Its trunk and large branches present 

 evident marks of the effect of time ; its height is about 40 feet, and 

 its trunk about 100 inches in girth. It is one of the living remem- 

 brancers of the attention bestowed by our forefathers on pomology, and 

 deserves to be cherished with care. We are indebted to " Browne's 

 Trees of America " for the facts above stated. 



