No. 129.) 467 



later in the season, is very sweet and delicious.- To obtain this 

 result, the roots must be placed in the charcoal dust or earth, 

 immediately upon being taken from their bed in the garden, azid 

 before the roots and spongioles are wilted, frosted, or dried. If 

 preserved in the garden, they may be covered as they grow, or 

 may be taken up, placed closely together, and covered thoroughly; 

 in this manner they will keep until spring. 



Pumpkins, squashes, etc., may be kept through the winter ia 

 -any dry room, to which frost has no access. 



Nearly all vegetables may be preserved to last for many years, 

 by the following plan : pick them fresh from the garden, and if 

 carrots, potatoes, beets, parsnips, turnips, &c., are among them, 

 <}ut them in slices, clean the whole thoroughly, and place them 

 in an oven, and dry them by a gradual heat, and do not permit 

 them on any account to be scorched, let them be subjected to 

 this heat until they become perfectly dry throughout, they may 

 then be packed in dry casks, and transported to any part of lihe 

 world. 



The President requested Mr. Pell to proceed with his remarks 

 in continuation from the last meeting, on the subject of dyes. 



Of the vegetable colors, one of the most valuable, after indigo, 

 woad, &c., is madder, ojf which there are two species, viz : rubia 

 peregrina foliis quaternis, and rubia tinctorum foliis senis. The 

 roots of the madder produce a diiferent quality from the stalks, 

 consequently they are separated. The best roots should be about 

 the size of a quill, and almost transparent, with a slightly red 

 color, and smooth bark. The coloring matter is capable of being 

 rendered soluble by the use of alcohol, and by evaporation a splen- 

 did red color is obtained ; alkali added to this makes a violet ; sul- 

 phuric acid, a fawn color; and sulphate of potash, a rea. This 

 plant is herbaceous, throwing out several stems from one root, 

 bearing small yellow flowers ; from Smyrna it is exported whole, 

 but from Holland in the form of a powder. The Turks frequently 

 feed their stock with madder haulm. It affects the milk by 

 coloring it red ; it has the sarye effect upon the perspiration, and 

 even bones of animals. It has been used medicinally in yellow 

 jaundice. 



