436 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL gournaL. [1 Dec., 1897- 
Canaigre, 
(RUMEX HYMENOSEPALUS, Torr.) 
A so-cALLED “new” tanning agent is Canaigre. It has been known, however, 
_ for its tanning properties for the last twenty-five years in Europe and the 
United States, whilst it has been used by the Mexicans in tanning for two 
hundred years. There, it is called “‘ Yerba Colorado.” 
The Bulletin of the Royal Gardens, Kew, No. 125, 1897, gives the following 
extract from the Report for 1896 on the Trade and Agriculture of California 
(Foreign Office, 1897) :— 
The name Canaigre is said to be the American corruption of the Spanish 
“cana agris”—sour cane. It is also locally known as ‘red duck,” “tanner’s 
dock,’ and “wild rhubarb.” The best way to propagate the plant is by the 
use of small roots rather than by seed. About 1,000 1b. of tubers will plant 
one acre, and the planting may be done at any time with irrigation. 
The value of Canaigre as a tanning agent, either alone or in conjunction 
with other tannins, has been proved beyond question. Yor light leather, it 
gives great textile strength, and is far better for split leather than gambier, 
oak, or hemlock. It is a quick tanner, and the yellow colour absorbed by the 
hide in the process of tanning is considered highly desirable for certain leathers. 
The sliced and dried tubers, containing an average of 80 per cent. of tannic 
acid, are worth from £8 to £9 per ton. The yield of from 7 to 10 tons peracre 
would give 23 to 83 tons of the dried product, for which there is a constant 
demand in Europe and America. Inasmuch as the plant grows wild in this 
vicinity (in California), and the seeds and roots are readily obtained, the 
industry commends itself to the farmer of small means, as it is harvested in 
such a short time from planting. 
Canaigre roots consist of clusters resembling sweet potatoes, and they are 
found near the surface, and sometimes on the top of the ground. They are 
rapidly dried, and at a certain stage are cut into small pieces. Outside, the 
roots are of a dark-reddish brown colour, becoming by age almost black. 
Interiorly, they are from a bright to a brownish-yellow, according to age and 
to amount of exposure. It is said that the dried and ground root can be 
delivered in any part of the United States at a price not exceeding 3 cents per 
Ib. (£42 per ton). Some authorities give the yield at from 15 to 20 tons 
per acre. 
Canaigre would seem by the above report to be worth while planting, even 
if the low return of 3 tons of dried roots be obtained, and sold at £7 per ton. 
The plant thrives in Queensland, and has been successfully grown at the 
Government nurseries and experiment farms. 
