110 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



nav3', and as retailed in our i^-roceries. But I bad never tested its virtues 

 upon my own table. Tlie fact of its approved use, bowever, suggested to 

 me the idea of sendino-^ as I did send a year ago last spring, to Tborburn, 

 New York, for a quantity of cliicory seed, a few vows of wbicb, on its 

 reception, I sowed as an experiment in my garden. Tlie ground was rich 

 and mellow, and I thinned the plants early to about six inches apart iu 

 the rows. Tiiey grew luxuriantly, and from three rows of four and a half 

 rods each iu length, I harvested in autumn nearly six bushels of large, 

 fair, hatids(jme roots of chicory — resembling the largest and most comely 

 parsnips. These I put in the cellar, with a little loose earth over them, for 

 a winter's supply, and commenced the use of them as follows : After wash- 

 ing a few roots, we cut them crosswise in slices about the thickness of a 

 half dollar, and spread them on pans in the brick oven after bakiti'g or in 

 the stove after cooking, and there let tliem shrivel and dry till proceeding 

 to burn them as we would coffee over a hotter fire. Thus prepared, a few 

 blows from the pestle in a mortar broke them ud fine enough to pass 

 through the coffee mill. Before the rebellion I was satisfied to bu}' Java 

 coffee by the pocket or bag at a Yankee shilling per pound. Since the 

 war has driven me to chicory, our practice has been to mix one part of pure 

 Java coffee with three parts of chicor}^ and this, ever since last autumn, 

 has been our morning beverage — and strange to tell, no person in the 

 family'- or friend visiting it, has ever complained, but all have been pleased 

 with the composition ? Indeed, we think the chicory is a positive improve- 

 ment on the coffee; it has the Java flavor still, and is certainlj' more whole- 

 some than entire coffee, for everybody knows that there is something in 

 every variety of the dandelion species that is highly congenial to the 

 biliary system of the human stomach. So now, when old Government Java 

 is sixty cents per pound, it really costs me but fifteen cents — cheajjer than 

 of yore. Were it to return to the old price of a sldlling, we should con- 

 tinue the mixture of our chicory with it ; as now, preferring it thus prepared 

 as a beverage, and believing it to be more healthy. 



"But in the matter of tea, I need information from the club, udiother 

 anything hereabouts can take its place or be mixed with it to advantage. 

 It seems to me to be important that this question should receive a public 

 answei* for the economical advantage of the people. , 



" I remember that in the last war with England, in 1812-15, my father 

 owned a West India coaster, that used to visit North Carolina for naval 

 stores. On those voyages the captain and crew made it a point to gather 

 or purchase a native tea which was in use there, and wliich they brought 

 home in (quantities and sold to our grocers in Massachusetts {my native 

 State), who supplied many families with the article. I have forgotten the 

 name of the plant, and would give almost anything to recall it. Can you 

 tell what it was ? Can any of the club tell what it was? Does any one 

 know anything about it now ? I only remember that it was a popular 

 beverage, and sold readily in market as a substitute for the Chinese tea. 

 It was called ' tea,' but the Indian i)refix I have forgotten. If you, or any 

 of your respected associates, can tell us its name and describe its quality', 

 I sliall be well rewarded for the writing of tliis letter. Remember it is a 



