Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-19

VEGETABLE SoAP.-Maly plants in different
countries furnish useful subst flutes for SOAP 10
the natives, when there are no conveniences or
materials for manufacturing ordinary soap.
Examples Of these are the soap worts, (Sdpin-
duS) so called from furnishing either i'm the
pulp of the fruit or in the root or bark, yegeta.
BILE principle called saponine. Thus the Hindus
use the pulp olthe fruit Of Sdpindus detergens
for washing linen. The capsule of another spe.
ces, when bruised, forms suds il agitated in
hot water; and the natives of India use this as
a soap for washing the hair, silk, etc. The aril
which surrounds the seed of Il South American
species is used as soap. The fresh bark of the
root OF Wountnd pOtyStdchid, called "ydlhOi"
pounded and moulded into balls, is used by the
Peruyans in place of soap.
The bruised leaves of the European iSqpOnnria
o6icindliS form lather which much resembles
that of soap, and is similarly used in removing
grease spots. The bark Of Quilidia sdDonaria Of
Central America answers the same purpose. and
is used as detergent by wood dyers. Ii has
even been imported largely into France, Bel.
GUM, etc., and sold ia the shops as a substitute
for soap. A vegetable soap was prepared some
years ago in Jamaica from the leaves of the
American aloe, which was found as detergent as
CASTLE soap for washing linen, and had the SUI
perior quality OF mixing aud forming lather
with salt water as well as fresh.
In Peru, the leaves Of the Mdguey dgdUe are
used instead of soap. The clothes are wetled,
crushed; thick, white froth is produced, and
after rinsing, the clothes are quite clean. The
pulpy matter contained in the hard kernel of n
tree called "Del BObOnciHG," is also used for the
same purpose. On being mixed with water il
produces white fr0th In Brazil, soap is made
from the ashes of the bassena or broom plant,
(Sidd tGnceoldtd), which abounds with alkali.
There are also some banks aud pods of the ma
awe plants used for soaps in China.
The soap-plant of California (PhdldngitDl no
merida NUM- is notable example of this class
Of vegetable productions, and is found exceed
ingly useful. The dubious root which is the
sapOnaceOus portion, resembles the onion, but
possesses the quality Of cleansing linen equal to
any olive soap manufactured Large amounts
of washing fluids are made from this root at the
standard soap works 10 this city (San Francis
col
This soap-plaut grows all over California.
The leaves make their appearance about the
middle Of November or about six weeks after
the rainy season has fairly set in. The plants
never grow more than loot high, and the
leaves and stalk drop entirely of in May, though
the bulbs remain In the ground all summer
without decaying. IL is used 70 wash with in
all parts OF the country, and by those who know
It's virtues II is preferred TO the best of soap.
The method Of using il in its natural state Is
merely 10 strip off the husk, dip the clothes into
the water, aud rub the bulb on them as with
soap. IL makes thick lather, and smells not
| unlike brown soap.
The husks are also utilized in large quantities
ocy being worked up into an imitation OF hair
Tor mattresses, for which purpose they are found
10 be very good substitute.
Az 81 Nicholas, one of the Cape de Verde
islanas, they make soap from the oil OF the
FutfOphd curcds seeds and the ashes of the
| pawpaw tree leaf The oil and ashes are mixed
In an iron pot, heated over Il fire. and stirred
until properly blended. When cool, il Is rolled
up Into balls about the size Of six pound