Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1868-05-26
Gte 6a3ette all0 Go1llft.

|UW Wa3Rllf dllu VDDlllkl.
The CHINA TREE-Hs Medicinal
Propeytaes.- The value Of this tree
upon the plantation is not sufficiently
appreciated. It is indigenous to this
climate and grows spontaneously
upon our soil. Formerly it was
much esteemed as shade tree, but
Of late years it has been superseded
as such, and has fallen into disfavor.
Although not 50 much adapted to
ornamental purposes as other varie-
ties of shade trees, its chief impor-
tance and value consist in the medi-,
cinal properties it possesses. To
these, public attention should be di-
rected, to the end that their dis
covery, development and application
to medical uses may supply an i'm
portant desiderdtuns in the healing
art. A knowledge Of it's virtues, and
the purposes to which it may be
successfully applied. will bring it
into notice and restore it to popular
favor as one of the most useful and
valuable trees that belong to our
climate. rctd pH5 1 a4.
A writer in the August number
(1S6-) Of the "Cotton Planter and
Soil" states, upon his knowledge
derived from experience and observ-
alton, that tits an infallible remedy
for the prevention and determination
Of vermin on fowls and hogs, and
that strong decoction made Of the
leaves of the China tree, will drive
off feas, bed bugs and other trouble
some, insects. While indorsing the
foregoing statement, we do not be-
lieve that the valuable purposes to
which it may be applied are limited
within SO narrow sphere. For rea-
sons that are obvious, we are in
clined to the opinion that the whole
insect race, and particularly that
portion Of them whose respiratory
organs are located on the surface of
their bodies, come within the scope
OF their application. If the liquid be
applied, therefore, to vegetables and
plants infected with troublesome in
sects, it will exterminate them; if it
be applied before their presence is
manifested, it will prevent their ap-
pearance altogether. If it be ap-
piled to the trunks Of the peach and
apple tree, particularly at the point
where they emerge from the ground,
the ravages Of the borer-the for
mioable enemy of fruit trees-will
be prevented, and if they are present
they will be destroyed.
As vermifuge for man and beast,
it has possibly no superior in the
whole range Of the vegetable king
dom. Horses, following the instincts
of their nature, seem to understand
the effects of the China tree, by eat
ing the young shoots and leaves at
certain seasons of the year, which
invariably causes the voiding of
large quantities of worms or bolts.
Guided by the same instinct. they
eat, at other seasons, the berries with
like good results. When shoots or
berries are not available they will
eat the bark from the trees. 1t is a
noticeable fact, that after they have
thus eaten they commence to i'm
prove in flesh, and their hair becomes
sleek and glossy
AS a vermifuge for children it
is superior to Fahnestock's patent
for which so much
money has been yearly expended.
The properties of this tree should be
subjected to chemical analysis, and
it's great medicinal virtues should be
definitely ascertained and combined
in valuable preparations for general
use. The growth of the China tree.
which springs up spontaneously and
requires little or no attention, should
be encouraged upon every planta-
lion. Young branches and leaves
should be given to mules and horses
IN the summer, and ripe berries in
he fall and winter as remedy for
worms, which more or less at all sea-
sons effect the health of horses in
uriously. They will eat them when
,ver and to whatever extent re-
.uired. and the beneficial effects will
'oon appear in their improved con-
lition. Such attention, thus lightly
will, without further trou-
,le or expense, be the means Of
aving the lives of many valuable
lorses.
T. h