MADDER. 39 
In the clothing counties of England the fuller's teasel 
is an article of considerable importance. The crooked 
scales accompanying the flowers are so hard and rough 
that the heads are employed for raising the nap of 
woollen cloths. For this purpose they are either set 
into flat boards like cards, or are fixed round the cir- 
cumference of a large and broad wheel. The former 
are used with the hand ; and the latter 'is turned round 
whilst the cloth is held against it. 
54. MADDER (Rubia tinctorum) is a rough, trailing 
plant, that grows wild in several parts of the South of Eu- 
rope, and is much cultivated in England and Holland on 
account of its roots, which are used by dyers and calico- 
printers. 
The land best adapted for the cultivation of madder 
is a soft, sandy loam. When the roots have attained 
sufficient growth, they are taken up, carefully peeled, 
and dried in an airy shed. After this they are con- 
veyed to a kiln, where they undergo a kind of manage- 
ment somewhat similar to that adopted in the drying of 
hops (260). The next process is to pulverize them, 
which is done by pounding or grinding ; a secret that 
was long exclusively possessed by the Dutch. 
Madder is extensively used in dyeing, not only ort 
account of its yielding a fine red colour, but also as 
forming a first tint for several other shades. The 
madder used for dyeing cottons in the East Indies, is, in 
some respects, different from that cultivated in Europe. 
And, in the neighbourhood of Smyrna, and in the island 
of Cyprus, a kind of madder is grown which affords a 
peculiarly bright and beautiful colour. 
This root is sometimes employed in medicine, in ob- 
structions of the bowels, rickets, and a few other com- 
plaints. It tinges water a dull red colour, and spirit of 
wine a deep bright red. When eaten by animals, it 
stains even their most solid bones. 
Cows are remarkably fond of the madder plant ; and 
