Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-12-22
SYMPHYTUM.

Our readers will recollect that we pub
lished in the Journal last spring, a letter
from Mr.. Ezekiel Rich, Of Troy, N. IL.
to the Editors Of the Keene Sentinel, Civ
ing an account of new article of food,
bearing the botanic name Of Symphytam,
but more generally known as COmfrry. 1t
was there stated that the root of this plant
has never before, to the knowledge of the
writer, been cultivated as food for man, or
the top as hay for cattle. Mr.. Rich stated
that the product of the top of the plant was
very great-two cuttings in July and Sep
TENDER, yielding nearly six tons per acre of
good fodder well made; and the root, which
should be harvested only once in two or
three years, producing . 400 bushels per
acre. The root he stated to be very nu-
trlcious, and wholesome for man and beast
The statement was of such a character
as TO excite some inquiry in our neighbour
hood, and Mr.. Abednego Robinson, who is
always foremost in making experiments for
the Improvement Of agriculture, last spring
took some pains TO collect the scattered
roots of the Comfrey on his own farm in
this town, and from those in his neighbor-
hood, and succeeded in making small bed
of half a rod square, or aquarter of square
rod
A few weeks since, in company with
some other gentlemen, we visited his prem
ises. The plant was set out in rows of
about filteenv inches apart. and The roots
about eight inches distant. The tops were
thickly set, and we should Judge that an
acre like il would have produced three or
lnt Of ,.,ha L. ~,
son has since Informed us that lie has cut
and dried the tops ofthis plant, and found
the weight to be % Is pounds.
This was cut some time in September
1t had suffered the disadvantage of very
dry season, and scarcely started until July.
There cannot be much doubt, when the
root is firm the next season, that il will at
two cuttings each produce 26 pounds, which
is about eight ions per acre. Mr., Robin
son says his stock of all descriptions eat it
eagerly. ..r .t.t 4-
Another plat on dry ground did not sue
coed as well as this on moist ground; this
he thinks may be imputed 10 extremely dry
weather after setting it out. The scarcity
Of the root was an inducement TO make very
small divisions, and il was with difficulty
that they could for time be preserved, !
but they throve well after rains he did not
cut this, ~ fVg
As the season has resulted, it is impos-
sible to Judge fairly what ground is most
favorable to its culture. 1t is. presumed
hat it may be cultivated on variable soils,
and will produce in proportion to their quail
ty. We could not but observe the great
beauty of this vegetable in its vigor, stand
ing very erect, l-2 feet high full of leaves,
aud thick with bloom. Mr.. r.. thinks that
he culture OF this vegetable will prove a
ialuabe acquisition to agricultural product
Portsmouth Journal
A fact has recently come TO. the knowl-
EDGE of Mr.. Rich, that 9 lady, who could
teep no other food on her Stomach, lived
hree months on the pudding of sympby-
UNI flour, made by pounding the dried roots
n mortar.-Keene Sentinel
Exemplary Damages Miss Bishop has re-
emily recovered. in the United States Circuit
Court for the Western District of Pennsylva-
ia, $4,000 damages against Stockton & Moore,
or damages sustained by the upseting Of one
u their stages, between Baltimore and Wheel
ng, in January, 1912. II was proved that the
river was drunk. Miss Bishop had her arm
'roken, and was otherwise seriously injured
nd the damages were given To he considered
ot only compensatory bur exemplary . l.