U 



suitability of the plant to the coast soil and climate. In 

 February last, 72 plants were put out, chiefly cuttings from 

 apex of last year's roots, but with a few seedlings also, in 

 consequence of want of room they were planted much too 

 closely. They grew vigorously, and in September and October 

 produced seed in abundance, which has been distributed to 

 applicants. In November, the leaves having died down, the 

 roots were dag, and found to weigh 571b., the largest being 

 41b., and several others 21b. to 31b. in weight, the remainder, 

 being small, the roots lost about 121b. in drying. The eyes 

 were then removed for replanting, and the remainder, about 

 401b. weight, has been sent to the Natal Tannery, the manager 

 having promised to report on them as well as he can from so 

 small a quantity. Further experiments will be made here, and 

 reported in due course In the meantime, I take over the 

 greater part of an article which appeared in the " American 

 Journal of Pharmacy," of August, 1889, and also another 

 article from Bulletin of Agricultural Experiment Station, 

 Berkeley, California, October, 1894, and hope they will be 

 found useful. 



CANAIGrRE. * 



By Henry Trimble. 



The following account of a tanning material, which had 

 several times in the past few years been mentioned as new, or 

 as a possibility for the tanner, is undertaken with a view of 

 relating what has been done toward developing this source, and 

 at the same time calling attention to the fact that if we 

 encourage home production, we have in Canaigre a. material 

 which gives promise of superseding the uncertain and much- 

 adulterated Grambier. 



Canaigre is found in large quantity in the sandy soil on both 

 sides of the Rio Grande and northwards over a large portion of 

 Western Texas and New Mexico. Its history is briefly as 

 follows : — It is said to have been used in tanning by the 

 Mexicans for over two centuries. Our first information, 

 however, dated from July 9th, 1868, when a package of these 

 roots was forwarded for Mr. John James, of San Antonia, Texas, 

 to the Agricultural Department, at Washington, together with 

 a letter stating that Mr. F. Kalteyer, chemist in San Antonia, 

 had found them to contain 32 per cent, of tannin. This sample 

 mislaid or was overlooked until 1878, when it was reported on by 

 the chemist. It was then found to yield 2345 per cent, of tannin. 

 A fresh sample was also procured, and the tannin estimated in the 

 fresh root with almost identical results, after making due still 



* From the " American Journal of Pharmacy,'' August, 1889. 



