112 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN llfSTITUTE. ' 



tea," {Clcanolhus Americanus.) We highly approve the suggestions of Mr. 

 Drew to seek for some substitute for tlie costly Cliinese tea. We have no 

 doubt that there are several more healthful, and which, perhaps, as in the 

 case of Yupon, would give equal satisfaction to those who become accus- 

 tomed to their taste. This is an important question, which must receive 

 immediate attention from all who arc disposed to make experiments, as 

 leaves must be gathered before they fidly mature. 



AiLANTHus Silk. 



Sarah M. Koss, Ai., Fulton county, Ohio, rnaniiests her zeal in behalf of 

 non-importation, in a practical way. She says ; 



" I take the liberty that the lady from Vermont has, that is, to get you 

 to procure me sorrie ailanthus seeds; I have long wanted to commence the 

 silk-work business, and if I can get the eggs and food for the worms I 

 intend to have a dress of my own manufacture (I have been a reader of 

 the Tribune for four years, and read the debates of your club witli pleasure), 

 and if can get some ailanthus seed and silk-worms eggs. I hope with profit.' 



There will be no difficulty in getting ailanthus seed from any large city 

 seed stores in autumn. Perhaps this Club will have a lot for iVee distribu- 

 tion. The eggs of the worms that feed upon and make silk from ailanthus 

 leaves are in use in France. We do not know of any in this country. 

 Silk-worms that feed upon mulberry leaves have been common many years. 



Wild Flowers from Wisconsin. 



Mr. J. Weston, Briggsville, Marquette county, Wis., says: "I send you 

 inclosed two specimens of our beautil'ul wild flowers. They both grow on 

 most sandy land, and by the roadside. They are exceedingly beautiful and 

 fragrant, and they continue in blossom a long time. If any one should 

 wish for any seed, I will send them some. If any of ycjur Club know the 

 botanical name, please give it in the Tribune." 



Prtjf. Thurber gives the name of the one with the spike of purplish 

 flowers as Amorpha canesaen!<, and the other Tephronia Virginiana. The 

 first is known as the Lead plant; and is supposed to indicate the existence 

 of galena in the vicinit}' where it is found in abundance. The common 

 name of the other is Goat's Hue. Both are pretty flowers, and so are manj'- 

 other wild ones in the West. 



Prairie Tea — Jersey Tea — American Tea. 



Mr. Charles Boynton writes from Lyons, Iowa, as follows: "Inclosed 

 with this I send a few of the tip-ends (jf llie sprouts or branches of a shrub 

 that grows plentifully throughout tliis region, on the higher portions of the 

 prairies, and which has been called by some Prairie Tea, but is generally 

 known as Red Root. It grows about two feet high, in clusters of shoots 

 springing from the root, or from the shoots of last year's growth; I think 

 both. The root is large compared with the top, is very tough, and runs 

 out in horizontal branches to a great distance. It is much dreaded by 

 prairie-breakers, and a higher price is paid for bi'eaking up land in which 

 it abounds. It is of u red color, and is very astringent. The leaves of 



