410 
In Gleanings in Agriculture, p. 296 , we find the following article. 
Pistachia (Pistachia Terebinthus.) Culture, &c. 1. Increased by 
nuts planted in pots, and plunged into a moderate hot-bed. 
By suckers. 
2. Tree. When first raised from the nuts to be gradually inured to the 
open air, to which they should be wholly exposed the beginning of June, 
and at the approach of winter screened from the frost under a hot-bed frame, 
constantly exposing them to the air in mild weather. 
When the trees have been gradually inured to our climate for three 
or four years, they are to be planted against walls, or in a sheltered situ¬ 
ation. 
Is a native of Arabia, Persia, and Syria. 
3. Use. The fruit; which ripens in England in favourable seasons. 
In the Levant, where the Pistacia is native, this tree grows to the height 
of twenty-five or thirty feet; the bark of the stem and old branches is of a 
dark russet colour, but that of the young branches is of a light brown. The 
leaves in the vera of Linneus (n. 3.) are composed of two or three pairs of 
leaflets, terminated by an odd one; they approach towards an ovate shape, 
and their edges turn back; in the trifolia of Linneus, the leaves, for the 
most part, have three, but sometimes four ovate leaflets, of a dark green 
colour: and the narhonensis has three or five roundish leaflets, of a light 
always be depended upon, nor do they always yield the same quantity of sugar; the produce of 
different years having varied, from two pounds of sugar per hundred weight of roots, to five pounds, 
according to circumstances which have intervened. 
However, I hope you will find the culture of the Beet-plant an object of consequence, on 
considering that its leaves afford nourishment for men and cattle; that its roots may be used as 
food, or to furnish sugar, one of the greatest luxuries of life; that, after the sugar is extracted, the 
roots are even then serviceable for cattle; and that the refuse-syrups will produce a wholesome 
spirit. In dry summers its herbage will be of great service to cattle, and does not give a bad taste 
to the milk; and in hard winters the roots are wholesome food. The Beta cicla is the Mangel 
Wurzel, or Root of Scarcity, of Dr. Lettsom, who has said much upon its use as food. Its advan¬ 
tages are now called forth to notice in other points of view, and deserve attention. In particular 
circumstances it may become a very useful article; time will determine its real merits. 
The remarks I have here given you are very short, in comparison with the observations I have 
collected, which extend through every department of the business. If you want any further in¬ 
formation, I will furnish it; but the above accounts appear to me sufficient to engage your present 
attention. 
I remain, dear Sir, your affectionate Son, 
John Taylor. 
Leipsic, May 20, 1800. 
To Mr. Charles Taylor. 
