Brookville American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1858-1861, 1859-01-07
BROOKYILLE AMERICAN.
Iller psrriss lsambucus Nigra.

MIuoT 1ofIios toamVucas NiBfe|
There appears to be- several varieties
eftho Elder; tho shrubby species can
- easily increased by cuttings; the
herbaceous by division Of the roots
The name Is derived from Sdmbucd, o
musicai inst, ument; s nigra, on account
Of the hardness Of tho wood. This plant
10 |. native of England, growing mp
wards of thirty feet high and seldom
branching erect; the stone is pithy and
hard, removed with facility from joint
70 joint then COW rtable into musical
instruments. Boys often convert the
stem into popguns, and the pith into
tumblers By atixing lead at oneend and
painting human face at the other
The bark IL rough, Of grayish color
branches and leafstalks smooth; leaves
opposite, pinnated, and occasionally bi.
pinnated, leaflets deep green and Skinny
midrib, somewhat pubescnt, flowers
email, white, in loose Gyms with five
divisions; inoderifc but in medical
point are greatly excitant and sudoridc
occasionally made into policies or oint'
ments with other ingredients. The Der,
riss are round Of dark purple and en-.
Joy high reputation when mannfac'
tured into vino and used for many
complaints such as colds, rumatismi
sruptions, and synthetic discusses
The bark and roots contain medicinal
properties, also the leaves, in fact the
whole plant Is useful.
Sambucus Canadensis, a native OF this
country, Is OF shrubby nature and
sbupd growing along fences and hol-
lows, where there is moisture. Itbears
. great resemblance TO the English va
riety, but is moro dwarfsh, seldom
growing over seven feet high. IL il
not considered of so much importance
~ its nrcheiypc, yet some Physician:
assert that il contains moro medicinal
properties; however, we will leave that
part for the faculty TO discuss. The
flowers certainly contain delightful
fragrance which ismost scnsibly thrown
OF after night fall and is considered u
useful emollient for the skin, for which
the flowers should not be gathered be-
fore June or July. They should be
stepped in alcohol, or distilled. The
berries arc much larger than the other
variety. containing more saccarinc mat
ter, and are consequently, better adapt.
ed for wine. They should not be gath
cred until thoroughly ripe. The leaves
IL gathered when heavily laden with
dew and scattered about bed room, i,
10 said, will destroy bed bngs. In this
country both flowers and berries arc
considered ofiicinal.
To those of your readers who arc fond
Of wine, We give them a receipt which
viii be found better than any cxtant
We speak from experience, as our fami.
~ is seldom without the article as ii i.
considered indispensable rs medicine
Take 8 gallons Of berries we'll bruised
and gallons of water, boil three quar-
tiers Of an hour; strain through muslin
while warm; 10 every gallon Of this add
y lbs sugar (the better the sugar, rich.
or tho wine,) half ounce OF nutmcgs
half ounce Of mace, ono ounce Of all
spice, ono ounce of race ginger, (the
spices should DO bruised and secured in
small bags and boil half an hour
take of tho scum as il rises to tho top
put the wine tub; when lukcwarn
ferment with yeast ona piece OF toasted
bread, for two weeks; add ono pint o.
nutral spirits to every gallon, and bar.
rel IL OF. Bourborn whisky will answe,
but natural spirits Is cheapest and best
AT Christmas bottle IL of for use. o
. cold night or for cold, warm alum
bier full and drink as warm rs posi-
bic on going TO bed, and the result will
speak for itself.
HoRTrcuLrcRALrsr.