240 
VIRGINIA CHURNING APPARATUS.—IS CHESS THE ORIGINAL OF WHEAT ? 
large, hoary germen, which becomes a globular, 
crimson, hair berry, the size of an elder berry. 
The taste of this fruit is very acid and astringent. 
The Rhus Cotinus, or Venice sumach, is also 
an important article in dyeing. It is known in 
England as young fustic; the stem and trunk of 
the shrub, and the root, are bought and employed 
for dyeing golden and orange yellows. The leaves 
and stalk when bruised, have an aromatic but 
pungent and acid scent. 
This plant is grown in our nurseries and sold as 
an ornamental shrub. It is by some called the 
fringe tree, and by others the burning bush; at 
least such have been the names given me by in¬ 
quiring of the owners. It bears a large, drab- 
colored, flossy blossom, and grows very luxuriant¬ 
ly in all our shrubberies. I have had much in¬ 
quiry for the article, but as none is imported into 
this country, I could not supply the demand. 
The Cotinus is cultivated by layers, and from a 
few plants a large number might soon be obtained. 
The stalks sent to market in Europe are from one 
to two inches in diameter, with the bark taken 
off, therefore cut, I presume, when the sap is run¬ 
ning. There is considerable thickness of white 
sap outside, and dark yellow and orange-colored 
rings inside, which latter is the coloring matter. 
The wood is soft and easily cut with the heel-cut¬ 
ter’s knife. The leaves on this wood when cut, 
are gathered, dried, and ground with the other 
sumach. 
Wm. Partridge. 
For the American Agriculturist. 
VIRGINIA CHURNING APPARATUS. 
Llangollen, Ky ., October 9, 1843. 
In my late visit to Virginia, I met with an effi¬ 
cient churning apparatus, a side-drawing of which 
is given below. Its merits are its cheapness and 
simplicity. A boy or girl of twelve years of age 
can with great ease work three or four churns. 
The principle, you will perceive, may be applied 
to any number of churns, worked by any motive 
power proportioned to their number and capacity. 
All the parts are of wood, except the crank, axis 
of the fly-wheel, and pin h. 
Virginia Churning Apparatus.—(Fig. 53.) 
a, 8 feet long ; b, 6 feet; c, c, eight feet; (long¬ 
er still better;) d, fly-wheel, of wood, 5 feet di¬ 
ameter, heavy, with crank n, adapted to the depth 
of the churns e; f, the crank and handle for work- 
ront View of Churns.—(Fig. 54.) 
ing-boy or other motive power. The churns should 
be placed on a board with marks to indicate the 
exact position of the base of each churn, h, iron 
pin. Take out the pins p, p, p, and the churns 
are detached, and may be removed. 
John Lewis. 
For the American Agriculturist. 
IS CHESS THE ORIGINAL OF WHEAT? 
Virginia , August, 1 0th, 1843. 
With the general tenor and object of Mr. R. L. 
Allen’s communication on “ new varieties of 
wheat,” in the August No. of the Agriculturist, I 
heartily coincide. In my own feeble way, I have 
from time to time endeavored to impress upon my 
brother farmers the importance, not only of obtain- 
