MADDER (Rubia), a genus of plants including an extensive family, of which the (tedium. or bedstraw is One which closely resembles it in many properties. Fifteen species of it are known, but only one is indigenous in the United States— the R. Brownii which grows in Florida, J Georgia, and R. Tinetoria is the most important, on account of the fine scarlet color imparted by its roots, and, it is so essential to calico printers, that they could not carry on their busi ness without it. Holland grows it very largely, and importations of it from there occur in every civilized country. France though it grows some, yet imports more from the Levant. From its great con sumption here, it has become an object to introduce its growth and cultivation into this country, and successful efforts have been made by spirited individuals. The value of madder imported into this country is considerable, and if the article is well prepared, there seems no reason to doubt that it would find a ready mar ket. Madder was successfully introduced into France one hundred years since, by Jean Althen, a Persian, to whom a statue is to be erected. This plant, it is said, now returns to France nearly 25,000,000 francs, or $5,000,000 per annum. The amount of the madder crop varies greatly one year with another, and it is difficult to give the mean crop. A hectare it is said, in a well manured ground and in favorable circumstances of temperature, will produce 5,000 killogrammes of dry roots, while in unfavorable circumstances it will not yield more than one-half or one-fourth of this amount. A kilogramme is equal to 2 lb. 2 oz. From the com mencement of the present century, the greatest crops are stated not to exceed 15,000 quintals by measure, and the least about 10,000 to 12,000.
The average amount_per annum of madder imported into this country, as appears by returns procured at the Trea sury Department, from 1845 to 1847, is about 6,110,000 pounds, and in value, about $600,000. The value given is be lieved, however, to be too low, as it falls below the usual wholesale market price, one-quarter if not one-half.
Mr. Joseph Swift, of Buckingham, Ohio, is probably the most extensive cul tivator of madder in the Union. His first crop was harvested in the fall of 1842, after being allowed four seasons' growth, and produced at the rate of 2000 pounds per acre.
The amount of labor required, includ ing the preparation of land, planting, cul tivating, digging, cleaning, threshing, &c., was from eighty to one hundred days' work per acre (including team work). The outlay for buildings, fixtures,
&c., did not exceed, in all, fifty dollars.
The value of the crop was at the rate of fifteen cents per pound, at which price he sold most of it, notwithstanding the circumstance of its being unknown to purchasers, and having to encounter the prejudice that usually exists in such cases.
The result, then, in figures, fairly stated, stands thus, for an acre of good land properly managed : By 2000 pounds of madder, at 15 cents per pound, $300 00 Contra—To 100 days' work at 75 cents per day, $75 00 Use of land 4 years at $4 per year, 16 00 Grinding, packing, &c 9 00 — 100 00 Leaving a net profit per acre of.. $200 00 The quality of this madder was pro nounced superior to most of the import ed; and no difficulty was found in selling it wherever it became known. The price of madder in the western cities (and also at the east,) has varied during the past five years, from 14 to 18 cents per pound ; the better qualities often selling at 18 to 20 cents,'at wholesale.
The yield per acre. Mr. S. is now con vinced, can be increased to 3000 lbs.; and it is better to harvest the crop at the end of three years' growth, than to allow a longer period. This plan will of course nearly double the profits.
Madder has been grown successfully by Mr. Gilm, a resident of Long Island. The crop does not require much atten tion. For the first year, it must be well wed and hoed lightly in summer ; in the second year, hoeing in spring, summer, and fall ; third year, the same repeated, and earthing up the roots of the plants,— at the close of the third year the crop may be harvested: after this, if left in the ground, it loses its strength. The roots are then largest and fullest of coloring matter. To raise them, a trench is dug round the roots, the earth loosened, and the whole roots of one plant raised to gether; these often weigh 40 lbs. : this diminishes by drying, to three-fourths of its weight. Sometimes madder is grown by setting out the roots. Twenty thou sand plants are allotted to an acre. Roots the size of a quill are esteemed most, or not bigger than the little finger. After being picked it must be dried previous to grinding and preservation. In hot cli mates air-drying is used; stoves are used in Holland. The madder from Holland is most esteemed, and it is cultivated in that country to a great extent. In pow der, it is of an orange-brown color, but is liable to become damp, and to be spoiled, if kept in a moist place.