118 
Professor Williamson was indebted to Mr. Whittaker, of 
Oldham, and for others of a similar kind to Mr. Butterworth, 
of Shaw. 
“ On the Cultivation of Madder in Derbyshire,” by Joseph 
SlDEBOTHAM, F.RA.S. 
Several attempts have been made to cultivate madder in 
England and Ireland, but the records of the experiments 
are very meagre and unsatisfactory, and one can only judge 
their want of success from the fact that they are not re- 
peated. 
Being desirous of ascertaining the capabilities of our soil 
and climate for this branch of farming, and having suitable 
land at our disposal at Strines, Mr. Nevill and I determined 
to try the experiment, the results of which I have now the 
honour to lay before you. 
In order to make the matter plain to those who do not 
understand the different qualities of madder, it is necessary 
to give a few words of explanation. 
Madder is the root of Rubia tinctoria, by some authorities 
supposed to be a mere cultivated variety of a plant indige- 
nous to this country, and found wild in many places in the 
limestone districts on rocks and walls. This plant is culti- 
vated for the purpose of dyeing in many parts of Europe 
and in India. 
Its qualities vary much ; that from Holland, called Dutch 
Madder, will dye red, but not purple, and the colour is not 
fast ; that from Italy, called Naples Madder, d}ms good reds 
and purples, but the colour is also loose ; that from Turkey, 
dyes good reds and purples, and is very fast; from France we 
get two qualities, called respectively roses, from their dyeing 
