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to separate from it dirt, stones, snail shells, &c. This is accomplished 
by a strong current of air induced by mm Rec he second 
process is that of grinding, mk is similar in many respects to the « old 
way of grinding grain. ‘The third process condita in placing the result 
of the second in a large ted ra holes in which are graduated to suit 
the taste of the country to which it is intended to export the sumach; 
that for the United States Leing more finely ground than any other 
country, the United States preferring fine sumach, and other countries 
a coarser article.’ 
A recent account of the trade in sumach, which eras tg sin of 
the most important industries in Palermo, is contained i reign 
Office Report Cdp Series, 1895, No. 1544) by Vice-Consul De 
Garston of Palermo 
He states that real sumach, which is known in Sicily as * sommacco 
forte," or * mascolino," is a "hardy shrub which grows upon available 
patches of ground on the hillsides and the slopes of the mountains. I 
does not require a good soil, but, on the contrary, is generally found 
flourishing in the most stony and mioma poor ground. The plant 
attains a height of about 14 feet from the ground, and the leaves closely 
resemb ose of the oak. The harvesting takes place during the 
months of J aly August, and September. 
This species of sumach is locally kaown as “ strong ” (owing to the 
reater per-centage of tannin which it yields) in contradistinction to 
the similar plant known as * sommaeco fem soma! called also coe 
sumach, although in point of fact it is not lim the provi 
Catania, but, on the ene is very common esee ree the hol of 
the province of Palerm 
The leaves of the win (femminello) are tee and of much less 
strength than those of the former plant, and are, therefore, of con- 
siderably less value. They are consequently kesi used iù the 
adulteration of the ground sumach 
Two other plants which ctosily resemble each other, and are named 
respectively * bruca" and “stinco,” are largely used in the sumach 
trade to adulterate the genuine article. They rise to the height of 
small trees, and have no leaf, properly speaking. In lieu of the leaf 
they have prickly little shoots, which thickly cover the lesser m 
and which, after being g collected, are ground up and mixed with the 
product of the true sumach plant. These very Taferid à artictas always 
contain a large proportion of earth, mre to the impossibility of making 
sd undergo a process of ventilatio 
re sumach, on the other hand, is capable of being Wo gee a and 
is, in i fone, invariably submitted t o that operation, and t d from 
ack of the impurity in the cnr of the native soil, which ANDE its way 
into Es mills together with the leaf, having been taken up during 
harvesting. 
Of te e years there has been a continued falling-off in the quantity of 
sumech exported, both as regards “leaf” and “ ound,” the demand 
being much slacker than formerly. This falling-off in the demand may 
be a natural sequence of the ever-increasing adulteration in the article, 
which is now carried on to a great extent, and made a fine art o 
What formerly went forward under the name of sumach was really the 
product of the real plant , With a very small addition of unde fined 
vegetable product ; what is now sold as sumach is a mysterious vegetable 
x a with an infinitesimal quantity of sumach added thereto. 
ees 
