TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. BULLETIN NO. 38. MARCH, 1896. a GANAIGRE, THE NEW TANNING PLANT. Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. POSTOFFIOE: COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS 00., TEXAS. All Reports from this Station are sent free to farmers of the State on application to J. H. CONNELL, DIRECTOR, P. 0. College Stanion, Texas. A U S '1‘ I N : BEN c. JONES s» 00., STATE PRINTERS. [787] - TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. OFFICERS AND STAFF. GOVERNING BOARD. (BOARD 0E DIRECTORS A. a» M. COLLEGE.) MAJ. A. J. ROSE, President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Austin. HoN. W. R. CAVITT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Bryan. HON. G. W. IZOWVMAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..P1ano. HON. JonN B. LONG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Rusk. HoN. U. A. PAULUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..I-Ial1ettsvi11e. TREASURER. PRESIDENT L. S. Ross .» . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Co11ege Station. STATION STA F F . J. H. (JONNELL, M. so . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Director. H. H. HARRINGTON, M. Sc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Chemist. M. FRANCIS, D. V. M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Veterinarian. R. H. PRICE, B. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Horticulturist. D. ADRIANCE, M. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Meteorologist, Associate Chemist. JAS. CLAYTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Agricu1turist. J. W. CARSON, B. h‘ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant to Director. P. S. TlLsoN, M. h‘ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant in Chemistry. A. M. SQULE, B. S. A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Assistant Agriculturist. SUPERlN'l‘ENDENT OF SUB-STATION. S. A. MCHENRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Beevi11e, Bee Co. [788] l<‘i'g. 1. (‘unamigre plant nem- end of first yeal-‘s growth, showing complete root system. l. seed root; r2, 2, etc“ first crop 0f new roots. Nr>(c.-l"z"a'zerc.w I, ,1 and are by Afmdruns-s of the Arizona, Experiment Station. GANAIGBE, THE NEW TANNING PLANT. BY H. H. PIARRINGTON AND DUNCAN ADRIANCE. It is now ‘about ten years since this plant first received important con- sideration; the first car load of the root having been shipped in 1887 from Tucson, Arizona, by Mr. R. J. Kerr, who has, since that time, be- come largely interested in the commercial development of the cultivated plant. But the Mexicans seem to have known of the tanning power of the root for a century or more; and they and the Indians made common use of it as a medicine, gathering in the xvild state, but making no at- tempt to cultivate it and develop its great commercial value. The plant has before this been frequently described, and its appearance has become somewhat widely known; still, it is best to give again A BRIEF DESCRIPTION. It belongs to the same family as the common Dock (Rumea: Urispus); itself being classified as Rumea: Hymenosepalus. It will appear above ground in late fall or early winter, if there is moisture sufficient for its growth; although in dry climates it does not usuallyunake an appearance until the last of January of first of lfilebruary, and the top reaches ma- turity in March or April, after which it- soon dies down. The roots con- tinue to increase in tannic acid until it has reached at least eighteen months’ growth. But it will probably be better, in the cultivated plant, to gather the year-old roots, as the increase of tannin after this time is not sufficient to justify the use of the land. The roots consist of a mass of tubers that grow in clusters, in very much the same way that sweet potatoes grow, which they very much resemble, both externally and in cross section, except the canaigre root is generally longer, 6 to 8 inches, and not so thick, maximum about 2% inches, according to age. The cul- tivated roots, especially, are smooth on the surface, light yellow to dark brownish red in color, according to age. The cross-section shows nearly the same colors, usually one or more concentric rings separating the lighter exterior portion from the darker interior. In my first experience with the plant, I was inclined to believe that the amount of coloring matter was an approximate measure of the tannic acid present, but I afterward found this to be a mistake, both for older roots in comparison with each other——or in comparing different varieties. But differences in color will distinguish old roots from young ones. The root i.n the green state is somewhat harder, though not very much, than a sweet potato. But as it dries, it gets hard, until it becomes even harder than the soft woods, shrivels up and loses a part of its tannic acid. If it undergoes fermentation in drying, there is a great loss of acid. Therefore. except in very dry climates, great care must be taken in drying even the sliced root, whether by the sun’s heat or by artificial ITIQEiIIS. [789] 790 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. PROPAGATION. The canaigre bears seed, but not very many, and propagation has so. far been made from the tubers; still, the plant may be grown from the seed (see Bull. 18, p. 41, N. M. Sta.), the sprout producing the first year a single root, requiring two years for a commercial crop. Our analyses are based upon the field experiments of Mr. R. J. Kerr, whose comparatively long experience with Oanaigre eminently qualifies him for co-operzttive Work of this kind. The information which follows with reference to planting, cultivation and marketing is based upon his experience; as familiarity with the crop increases, it is to be expected that slight changes and improvements will be made in its development, but we believe this to be the most reliable information that can now be obtained applicable to the Coast country. PLANTING. Plow the ground thoroughly 6 or 8 inches deep, then harrow with a disc harrow, and finish with an Acme or common-tooth harrow, the idea being to get the ground well pulverized and smooth; bed up after the manner of bedding for sweet potatoes-beds 36 inches apart. Plant the whole root, 10 inches apart in the drill, and as shallow as possible, not over 21} to 3 inches deep. In this way one car load of 12 tons, selected root, will plant 5O acres. The New Mexico Station advises the use of old roots for planting. Planting should be done, to get an average yield, from May 15 to September 15, the earlier after the 15th of May the better the yield will be. Plant the roots in drills, either with an Aspinwall potato planter or by hand; cultivate four to six times during the season, or as often as necessary to keep the soil loose and free from weeds and grass. Yield per Acre. —-“ Much depends on the selection of seed roots for planting, time in which they are planted, preparation of land before planting, and care taken of the crop after planting, what the yield will be. From my own experience, one pound to the stand, or plant, of new roots, one year’s growth, is the lowest possible average. This would yield, in beds three feet apart and ten inches in drill, 17,640 pounds. This yield. can be doubled if all the above points are strictly observed.” Cost 0f Raising per Ton, Green.—Witl1 improved machinery now on the market, such as planters, diggers, cultivators, etc., Canaigre can be raised at a cost not to exceed $2 per ton., placed in warehouse or f. o. b. cars. I Market Value of the Sliced and Dried Root-J‘ The sliced and dried Canaigre from the wild root, which is of all ages, from one year to ten years and over, varies in color from a light yellow to a very dark red (the older the roots. the more coloring matter they contain), are worth on the European market from eight English pounds ($40, about) per ton., upward. depending on the quality and condition of the material.” The Cultivated Uarzaigra-The cultivated Uanaigre in South Texas, one yreariss growth. is of a bright yellow color, being all of the same age, and will command a better price. and is more sought after, owing to the fact that it contains a higher percentage of tannin, with less coloring matter than the wild root. Fig. Canuigrre plant at. end 0f second yeafis growth. 1. seed root; 2. :3, etc., first crop of young roots: 3, 3, etc., second crop of young roots. dowdww wEEommoHQ E .w@m_ 6m n, ¢ 3&2 2913 $507M wpmwdsdu wgawvr: Mo 32> M. firm CANAIGRE, THE NEW TANNING PLANT. 791 Freight Rates from Monahans, Ward County, to European ports-—Liv~ erpool, Hamburg and Havre—is $12 to $13 per ton; from Houston, the rate would not exceed $8 per ton. ‘ Cost of Drying.-As before stated, the roots can not be shipped in the green state; they must be either sliced and dried or a concentrated ‘extract made of the tannin. The cost of Mr. Kerr’s slicing and drying machine, complete, to slice and dry fifteen tons of green root a day, was to him a little over $2000. The slicing machines alone cost from $125 to $300 at the factory- He writes me that in West Texas “the cost of slicing, drying and sacking is high, everything being so inconvenient, and will average about $1.60 to the ton of green root; whereas, if one has the cultivated, in East Texas, with a drying kiln and warehouses conveniently located, the cost would not exceed 75 cents per ton of green root.” On account of the cost of slicing and drying, especially the latter, the farmer of small means can not undertake the cultivation of the crop, except in co-operation with others. One man could establish a slicer and dryer and depend mainly upon the surrounding farms for his supply of plant. Mr. Kerr expects to establish a dryer at Hockley, on the Houston and Texas Central Railroad, above Houston, and take the crop of the farmers, within a radius of 25 or 30. miles, at $5 per ton green; supplying wild seed root at cost, delivered at the nearest station of the party ordering, in car load lots. In this way, several farmers would order together a car of the seed root and pay their proportional share of the expenses. The slicing cuts into chips about one-twentieth of an inch thick, which must be dried at a low temperature and some- what rapidly to prevent fermentation and loss of tannin. Ectract Factories would cost considerably more than slicing and dry- ing machines; but, once in operation, their work would be more satisfac- tory. Centrally located, buying the Canaigre from surrounding farms, after the manner of central beet sugar factories, the extract factory could be handled entirely as a manufacturing enterprise. Eject 0f Temperature in Dryz'-ng.-~To show the effect of drying at different temperatures, the following tests were made: No. 1, dried at 150 degrees, Fahrenheit, gave 15.75 per cent of acid. No. 1, dried in open air, gave 15.84 per cent. In this case there seems to have been no less of acid at 150 degrees. No. 2, dried at 175 degrees, Fahrenheit, gave 13.75 per cent of acid. No. 2, dried at 212 degrees, gave 13.75 per cent of acid. No. 2, dried at 120 degrees, gave 19 per cent of acid. In this case there was great loss at 175 or 212 degrees; not only loss, but when dried at 120 degrees the sample retained its pure yellow color, and the tannin was much more readily dissolved. The above tests were made in a kiln dryer on a commercial scale. We then made the following tests in the laboratory: Samples dried at the temperature of boiling water (212 degrees Fahr- enheit): Sliced and. allowed. to pack in a beaker while dryriira". No. 22 gave 26 per cent; No. 23, 24 per cent; No. 24. 23.2 per cent. Dried in the open air, spread on paper. the samples gave. in the order named, above. 27.3 per cent, 28.5 per cent, 29.4 per cent. It seems. therefore. that both in the kiln and laboratory dried. there is a loss of acid if the tempera- ture is much above 1.50 (flegrees Fahrenheit; and while this temperature is safe, 120 degrees is better, provided the increased cost of dryin at this \V iew of canaigre slicing machine, owned by R. J. Kerr. Monahans, Texas. CANAIGRE, THE NEW TANNING PLANT. Table 0f Analyses 0f Canaigre Root-continued. 793 55;. 2.5 g 241.3 org 8 2E Whcrc Grown. ogg 25 gas 27 Six months old; from cultivated roots; grown 0n Pomona Plantation 21.5 new land without fertilizer. 28 Twelve months old; crown on cotton land . . . . . . . . . . . . .do . . . . . . . . . . 25.6 29 Two years old; grown on Galveston Island . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . . 13.4 30 One year old; grown on Galveston Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . . 10.8 32 Cultivated from wild root; left in ground two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 20.7 years; grown eight miles south of Houston on the G. H. 8t S. A. R. R. 33 Cultivated from cultivated roots; one year old; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 29.0 same locality as 32. 34 Cultivated from wild roots at Almada, eleven miles Almada . . . . . . . . . . . 14.5 southwest of Houston; ground not sufficiently drained for canaigre. 35 Planted January, 1895:‘ dug June, 1895 . . . . . . . . . . . Pomona Plantation 19.9 36 Planted February 20, 1895, dug June, 1895 . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . .. 16.2 37 Two years old; from wild root on cotton ground. . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . . 18.7 38 Two years old; from wild root . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..do . . . . . . . . . . 24.9 39 One ear old; from cultivated roots; from same . . . . ..do . . . . . . . . .. 24.8 locgtion as Nos. 37 and 38. 40 Cultivated one year; from nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N161‘ s ery, Victoria 11.7 ~ ounty 41 Cultivated one year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Florida . . . . . . . . . .. 27 .0 42 Cultivated ten months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . . 25.8 43 Fermented and spoiled; sample had been ground. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Delivered by H. C. Orr, Kansas City; stated it to New Mexico . . . . . . 12.4 be from cultivated roots of Eddy, New Mexico. 45 Bothvfrom cuiltivated roots; planted invPebru- P 1 _ C 46 ilggrklgizfé rid £115); Lsilgiow tops_unt1l Mai ch,and S- - omona P antation 23.4 47 Eleven months old . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .do . . . . . . . . .. 25.3 48 Wild root; age unknown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Honahans . . . . . .. 11.5 49 Wild root; age unknown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . 24.0 50 Wild root; age unknown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .do . . . . . . . . . . 17.0 51 Wild root; old root . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .do 15.7 52 Wild root; age unknown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .'. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .do . . . . . . . . . . 24.0 €\ Wild root; mixture of different ages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .do . . . . . . .. 14.6 T55Wildroot;ageunknmvn................. . . . . ..do . . . . . . . . ..11.7 56 Wild root; age unknown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . . 17.0 57 Wild white root; age unknown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . . 13.6 58 Wild root; six to seven months old . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . 14.6 59 Wild root; three years old and over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . . 22.6 60 Wild roots mixed; from three months to three . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . . 14.6 years old. a 61 At least twelve years old; wild root; no small . .. ..do . . . . . . . .. 20.0 roots attached. 62 Six years old: large cluster of smaller roots . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . .. 18.0 63 Two years old . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .do . . . . . . . . .. 15.5 64 One year old . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..do . . . . . . . . . . 12.5 65 Age unknown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . .. 19 .7 67 Age unknown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . . 22.5 68 Age unknown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . 27.6 69 Nine months old; wild root . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winkler County. . . 12.0 70 Ten months old; grown on black, heavy soil. . . .. 40 miles west of 16.5 Houston. 71 Sevenfmonths old; cultivated - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Florida . . . . . . . . . . . 22.5 72 Twelve months old; cultivated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . .. 27.6 T Nos. 55 and 56 were taken from different types of soil, two miles apart. 794 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. Effect of F/reezingr-Mr. Kerr sent us a sample for analysis “that had probably been frozen a dozen times or more,” but, 0n analysis, showed about the same amount of tannin as found in other samples from the same locality. This was unexpected; our first thought being that the tannin would be more or less destroyed. We, therefore, took three sam- ples and placed in a cold storage vault for twenty-four hours. Before freezing, they contained, respectively, 14.6, 17.3 and 22.6 per cent of tannin; after freezing, they showed, in the order named, 14.1, 17.3, 22.9 per cent of tannin. The first sample named was six to seven months old, the next was one year old and over, the third was a mixture of roots of widely different ages—three months to three years and over. It ap- pears, therefore, that, regardless of the age of the root, freezing has no effect on the tannin; but, according to Mr. Kerr, the sliced and dried root is verynnuch lighter when frozen. Cultivation. decreases the amount of coloring matter, although still maintaining a pure yellow color, and seems to increase the tannic acid to a wonder-fill degree. To see the effect of this, compare Nos. 1, 4, 38, 39, with one another; or, in a general way, the first part of the table (louin to N o. 47, inclusive, with the latter part of the table; that is, the samples gathered from Monahans, in West Texas. These samples, taken together, represent the root as gathered for market and shipped to Eu- rope by Mr. Kerr, who shipped, during February and May, four or five car loads of the dried root per week. Ohezrtical Analysis 0f Soils- Moisture-and organic matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.38 parts Sand and silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..96.'70 parts Oxide of iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.44 parts Oxide of aluminum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.27 parts Phosphoric acid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.13 parts Calcium oxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.25 parts Magnesium oxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.40 parts Potassium oxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.04 parts Sodium oxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.02 parts lllhis was taken from the Pomona plantation at Hockley, andis a fair representation, also, of the soil of the surrounding farms. It is a sandy soil, rich in phosphoric acid. Ash in Samples, grown on the above soil, from roots of different ages, is as follows: Une month old . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..1.46 per cent Two months old . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .995 per cent Five months old . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .928 per cent Six months old . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .858 per cent Twelve months old . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .805 per cent This shows a great decrease of ash in the roots as the plant grows old; the ash on analysis gave the following percentage ingredients: dcmwrw dmannsofi i“ upwwscso wuwxoam d $5M ( CANAIGRE, THE NEW TANNING PLANT. 795 Analyses 0f Oanaigre Ash. One Two Five Six ‘ Seven one 5152176651‘ 111.21.12.11 112115.111 11211111 1131151111 1121.111 [B33118 Matter insoluble in hy- 11.71 11.84 12.94 13.06 15.12 14.96 15.30 drochloric acid. . Oxideof iron.. . . . . . . .. 1.57 2.13 1.93 1.37 2.57 2.32 1.91 Phosphoric acid . . . . . .. 8.97 8.59 7.89 7.60 6.70 6.75 6.15 Manganese oxide 0.24 0.81 1.20 0.91 0.80 0.81 0.40 Calcium Oxide (lime) .. 11.38 11.40 11.48 11.80 10.68 10.87 10.43 Magnesium oxide . . . . . . 9.71 10.27 10.23 10.57 9.73 9.25 9.69 Carbon dioxide....-.... 7.40 7.10 6.95 6.15 6.12 6.39 6.40 Potassium oxide . . . . . . . 29 .27 28.86 27.69 27 .65 27 .44 27.13 27.22 Sodium oxide . . . . . . . .. 10.59 10.29 9.52 9.80 7.09 7.63 7.92 Chlorine . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.25 0.76 1.41 2.59 2.89 2.18 2.47 Sulphur t11ioxide . . . . .. 8.84 8.78 8.92 I 8.47 11.25 11.71 11. .81 The above table shows a decrease of phosphoric acid and potash as the plant grows older; more marked in the case of potash than with phos- phoric acid. Insoluble matter appears to increase as the plant increases in age. The lime shows a tendency to diminish. These results, so far as potash and phosphoric-are concerned, agree with the results of the Arizona Station in showing that the plant makes a much larger de- mand upon the potash of the soil than upon phosphoric acid. But the ash does not show the large amount of phosphoric acid that was obtained by the California Station (Bull. 105, p. 9.) . Plomt Food Re1n0oed.--Taking the percentage of ash in one-year-old root as an average, and the crop at ten tons per acre of green root, there would be removed 161 pounds of mineral matter, or total ash 5 of this, 6% per cent is phosphoric acid—-equal to about 11 pounds per acre, against 437%; pounds of potash. This agrees in the main with most root crops in demanding a potash fertilizer, while the amount of phosphoric acid needed is comparatively small. CLIMATIC coNnrrioNs. The plant is indigenous to West and Northwest Texas, to Arizona, Southern California, New Mexico and Mexico. Under cultivation, it grows well in South Texas and South Florida. It will probably do well anywhere where there is not an excess of moisture combined with a cold climate. In such a climate, freezing appears to rot the seed root; but we have 11ot determined the full effect of these conditions. Mr. Kerr says that in Texas he “would not advise planting over 100 or 125 miles from the coast,” and gives as his reason that “all, or nearly all, Canaigre growing in the Wild state grows in avery sandy, loose soil; and a freeze of six inches or more does not seem to impair the tops or roots. During the months of December and January, 1895 and 1896, the sand froze, after a heavy rain, to a depth of six inches [at Monahans, Ward County] at least a dozen different times. Strange as it may seem, after the ground and tops (the latter like icicles) thawed out, they were unim- paired; the tops looked as fresh as ever. This is partly due to the dry atmosphere here, but mostly due to the sandy character of the soils. During the hard freeze of 1894 in South T exas, the tops froze clean off 796 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. my crop at Pomona [IIockley] 5 but only roots that were within an inch or so of the surface froze, and the roots that froze decayed at once. The tops sprouted again and were up green within ten days, showing no sign of having ever been frozen. This, I think, is due to our humid atmos- phere and heavier soils (of the coast regions.) That which I planted in Northern Florida, at the same time, stood the freeze that froze the orange trees down to the roots; the soil there being of much the same character as the soil here in which it grows wild. The tops there were not injured, yet their climate is very similar to ours in Southeast Texas (Hockley.)” The above is valuable information for those who intend planting the Oanaigre, and still it may be that in North Texas, if the root is planted a little deeper, the freeze will not materially damage it, even though the tops should be killed in winter. Or the crop may be planted in spring and still prove a paying investment. METHOD OF ANALYSIS. We followed substantially the Lowenthal method, as modified by Ool- lingwood (Bull. No. 7, Arizona Sta. ; see also Allen’s Oom. Organic Anal- ysis, vol. III, part I, p. 109.) But we used Mercksfhide powder instead of gelatin to exhaust the tannin, and find that the kind of hide powder has a marked influence on results. The method is faulty, but, perhaps, comes nearer than any other to giving the actual tanning value, as used by the tanners. The following comparative analyses were made: Comparative Methods 0f Analyses-Per Cent 0f Acid Removed. N0. 36. N0. 42. N0. 47. N0. 48. N0. 49. N0. 50. N0. 51. Digestedeighteenhourswithcold 9.93 14.51 11.15 15.36 13.58 9.93 10.24 water. Digested six hours at about 170° 13.82 14.21 11.77 14.97 13.69 10.5 10.5 Fahrenheit. . Boiled twenty minutes and al- 13.31 14.34 12.5 15.1 ‘13.3 10.75 10.5 lowed to stand twelve hours. " Boiled one hour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 13.58 14.85 12.84 15.36 13.82 12.8 10.75 It appears from the above that boiling one hour extracts the tannin more completely than any of the other methods used. It was thought that digesting at 1'7 0 degrees for six hours would, perhaps, give the best results. There is, however, no great difference in the last two methods. THE CROP AS AN INDUSTRY. It requires considerable means, or else co-operation of several farmers, to grow and market the crop successfully. A great step in advance will be made if large tanneries, in addition to the small ones we now have, could be established at several different towns in the State. These would not only furnish a home market for a new product, but would be followed by boot and shoe factories, and many additional leather manu- factories; enough to supply not only the needs of the State, but sur- rounding States and Mexico. _ The number of hides shipped from Texas runs into the millions, and a large part of the number come back to us in the form of manufactured leather, supporting capital and labor and carrying prosperity to other people. We should carefully avoid the firm. m. Uafism opwflimww F 35 ma? fid Eommwnsm. @655 wswmm. dmdndnog i“ JONHQS pow @353 wpwiwnaO a wfm CANAIGRE, THE NEW TANNING PLANT. 797 mistake with this new industry that we have so long made with cotton. To tan the hides of Texas at home would, perhaps, require 100,000 acres of Canaigre, and With the tanneries would follow all kinds of leather manufactories. Thus, the business men and capitalists of our larger cities have an opportunity to make a profitable investment, with great benefit to the State. I understand that a large tannery is soon to be es- tablished at San Antonio and one at Houston, the latter so soon as the necessary Canaigre supply can be guaranteed by the growers in the sur- rounding country. Mr. Eugene Dittman, who owns a tannery at New Braunfels, says very truly that it would be greatly to the interest of the State if anything could be done to prevent branding; and it should be the duty of every man with influence to do all in his power to stop it. Texas leather manufacturers are excessively particular as to the quality and condition of the leather which they buy. Faulty hides, produced by branding, are of slow sale to Texas leather dealers. This will always operate as a hindrance to the establishment of large tanneries. This one fault removed, and the prejudice against Texas hides would disappear; and tanning could be done cheaper here with Canaigre than in any other part of this country. Mr. Dittman agrees with other practical tan- ners that the quality of leather produced by Canaigre, or its extract, is of the very best; “a very fine, mellow leather, with a very fine yellow color, of great durability; pronounced by all leather consumers here (New Braunfels) as of extra good quality.” Mr. Dittman obtains his Canaigre extract from Deming, New Mexico, and likes it better than either the bark extract or Gambier, both of which he gets from Boston. PROFITS. If We assume that it will cost $3 a ton to raise (Mr. Kerr estimates $2) and that it can be sol $5 a ton, a crop of ten tons to the acre would bring a profit of per acre, not counting in- terest on the investment or cost of repairs. I do not know of any ordi- nary crop that will bring anything like this gain. Then, with Canaigre, aigre and gather it i the farmer is, "to a large extent, independent of the weather conditions at the time of gathering, since a month or six weeks’ difference of time will have no great influence. i CONCLUSIONS. 1. The crop seems particularly adapted to West and South Texas, but may be profitable in North and East Texas. _ 2. It can not be readily adopted by the farmer of limited means, but on the co-operative plan is almost sure to give good returns. 3. While the root continues to increase in tannic acid for some time, it will pay best to gather when a year, or a season, old. 4. Freezing does not seem to injure the tannin in the root. 5. Our results indicate a demand for potash as a fertilizer, but this would vary with the soil. 6. Cultivation increases the tannin, gives a root better in color and appearance. '7. The tannin of Canaigre is adapted for tanning the finest grades of leather, giving a leather of fine finsh, color and durability. 8. A low temperature—preferably 120 or 130-—is best for drying the sliced chips.