Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-11-26
DOMESTIC.
sSrom the .Mrsv- York Mercantile .Hdver-
tiscr.
VALUABLE DISCOVERY.

NAtsO lDt<IL lIoN>ON
To the discovery of the Perpetual Motion,
recently made by Il citizen of Pcnnsy lvania
ffor the Patent Right of which, we under
stand, 100000 dollars have been rcfused)
we have to add that OF 4 citizen of the state
bf New York, who in a common but hith-
crto unnoticed vegetable has discovered q
substitute for FLhX and HEMP, greatly
superior to either, aud which multplies it
self so abundantly as to yield from 500 to
1000 from roots ana seeds per annum.
Mr.. Baldwin, of Montpelier, Vermont,
the ingenious inventor of the Patent Ma
chine for Spinning Hemp & Flax, has made
trial of it, and says it will work better than
either of those articles
DIR. Eddy, the Lecturer on Botany, gives
it as his opinion, that, a." owing to the bull
bcrus or tuberous form of its root, even
should the old root die, the plant will be con-
tinued by suckers Of shoots from the root !;
that it may be cultivated in good upland as
well as in its natural soil, which is low and
moist that it will bear from Is to 20 stems
on one root, which grow in IA circle of not
more than six inches diameter, and arise to
the heights of trom to 6 feet without
branches"
In honor of the discovercr, Mr.. Charles
Whitlow, it has received the classical name
OF Urtica Yhifio4vi.
A committee of the corporation to whom
Mr.. Whit,ow's memorial on this subject W as
referred, have made the following report
thereon:
1.-The Committee to whom was referred
the Memorial of Charles Whitlow, on the
subject of newly discovered plant as a
substitute for Hemp and Flax, respectfully
report,
THAT they have had several interviews
and conferences with the Memorialists, at
which he has exhibited specimens of his
newly discovered plant in its various stages,
from the nettle in its natural state, including
tic Flax and tow, to a strong and line spun
thread that from the accompanying Certi-
fcates and Documents, published in the Bal
timorc Medical and Philosophical Lyceum,
il appears, that it is hardy perennial, 8;
believed to be species not hitherto disco
vered by any Botanist. Ii further appears
from a Certificate signed by number Of
Manufacturers Of Flax and Hemp, linen and
cotton, that they had examined the plant a.
bove described i'll It's different stages OF flaX
tow, and thread and were unanimously O
opinion, that it is far superior to any fax oil
hemp they had ever seen, as we'll IN the
quantity it produces from single stem, a!
its superior strength, beauty, and iinenes
of texture. That, from the experiment
made by them, they were further Of opinion
that it will.produce from twenty to twenty
five per cent. more from the hacklc than an!
AK or hemp known ID then; and tina
they are fully persuadcdit wiiibecomea Srea
benefit TO any country that will encourage
Us cultivation.
From these and various other document
exhibited to your committee, as well rs FROM
their own view and observation, they are dc
cideCly Of opinion, that the discovery It tn
Urfica Fnitlo7vi (the name by which th
plant is now distinguishcd) is OF the highes
importance and, as far as they are compe
tent to judge, the plant will be founei valu
able substitute for hemp & fax, & The mana
facture will he highly beneficial to ever
Sountry which will afford 1t patronage an
encouragement.
All which is respectfully submitted.