The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1864-01-13

POKE WEED.-Among the most valuable
shrubs, as well as among the most common IN
the Confederate States, is the poke weed. It
grows in every State and sreadily found inneary
every locality. From Dr. PorcheI's Resources
of the Southern Fields and Forests" we condense
some of the uses Of this plant:
One drachln of the powdered root or leaves
mixed with an ounce Of lard, makes good ONT
ment for diseases Of the scalp, as pseratlnea,
capitis, etc. 4 strong decoctlon OF the roots
applied to sores Of secondary syphilis, heals them
up. Tie root powdered and Infused in brandy,
is good for the rheumatism The same Infused
il wine, an ounce i'll pint makes slow but
kind emetc The dose is two table spoons-tull.
The tincture Of the ripe berries Is remedy In
chronic and svDhiitic rheumatism. The decoc-
ton is useful in scrofua. A desert spoonful
given repeatedly of whisky in which the berries
have been placed is one Of the most efficient
remedies in Rheumatism. The root applied ex
ternaliy cures the mango in dogs.
An excellent crimson dye may be made as
follows; TO two gallons Of the juice OF poke Der
ries when they are quite ripe, add half gallon
strong vinegar, to dye one pound wool The
wool must be washed very clean with hard soap.
When wrung dry put it in the mixture and SIM
mer in a copper vessel one hour. Take out the
wool and let it drip awhile and spread it IN the
sun. The vessel must be free from grease OF any
kind To dye solfernio, a lady friend tells US
take the the juice of poke berries and copperas,
shade to your liking The juice with alum to
fix the color makes fine red.
WAX MYRrLE.-The wax myrtle, like the poke
weed, grows everywhere, tits equally useful.
The root is powerful astringent, and deeoc-
ton is employed in diarrh9a, dysentery, hemor-
rhage from the uterus, in dropsies which succeed
feyers, and as gargle in sore throat. The wax
(made from the boiling berries) makes very
good candle
To MAKE SoAP-Lixiviate ST bushels com
mon wood ashes with half bushel unsaked lime
in a caSk capable Of holding sixty gallons,
for forty eight hours, then draw off the I've,
which will float an egg Put from six to eight
gallons into a copper kettle capable Of contain
ing twenty-five gallons. To this add lbs.
myrtle wax, boil for six hours for the first three
hours pour in occasionally supply Of strong lye,
the whole frequently well stirred with ladle.
After six hours boiling, throw in two quarts Of
common large grain salt, leave this to simmer an
hour more over a slow fire. Place the liquid IN
tubs to cool for "a hours. Wipe the soap clean
and you will have nearly 50 lbs. good solid soap.
After extracting the wax the water used makes,
with copperas, brown dye, or By repeatedly
boiling in the same water it makes blue with
out mordant.
GARDEN PURsLANE.-The beneficial qualities
OF this weed are that it is anscorbutc, diuretic,
anthematic It will coagulate milk. It's chief
value in domestic economy is as dye Boil
bushe Of itin an iron kettle tillitis soit-Strain
off the liquor Boil a pound of logwood also in
iron for two hours Strain off the liquor and
mix with the purslane liquor then dissolve half
a pound Of alum in soft water suficientto cover
lbs. Of yarn, putt in brass kettle and simmer
the yarn in it three hours, then wiring aud put
the yarn in the dye. Simmer this three hours
with frequent stirring. This is very fine blue.
PEACH TREEs.-Besdes the fruit Of this tree
il has several qualities that render it valuable.
Peach leaf tea is an excellent purge. Dose for
d child teaspoonful every half hour till it
operates The gum Of the peach dissolved in
water is an excellent substitute for gum-arabic-
Peach leaves put in layers Of cotton and boiling
water poured over viii dye yellow. The cotton
or thread should first be boiled in solution Of
alum Peach leaf tea is also an excellent pal'a-
tive in whooping cough.