The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-09-14
For the Dispatch.j
1ynsnhytum Asperrtmuss, or sricRAy
80 ~ SSoysafrcy las

The syrnphytum asperrimum, or prlckiy
cnnnfrnv. Ia a fodder plant which bids 1alr 10
rival. or even to surpass in value, any .na'
has been hitherto introduced 70 this .ou -:
try, 1t Is native OF the caucasus anu oE
hcria. and has been cultivated OF late years
IN Fysland. where its popularity Is rapidly
Increasing. In the East 1pdies it has also
hear, fried with success. II has been ina-
Z norfafl into Virginia by Mr.. Ashburner, an
Enrlishman residing In Henrico county,
and Il appears to he admirably adapted to
our climate and soil
The secret OF It's luxuriant growth in
such different countries lies in its being a
deeptg.rooted ptds.. 1t is, therefore, indie
pendent OF weather and climate, for in the
drycst and hottest seasons it will afford seye>
raj heavy cuttings when all other vegetation
iseisher burnt up or at standstSil. 1t aase
comes In earlier than any other crop and
lasts longer, continuing to afford forage till
fross sets In
Notwithstanding the cStrcnae heat Of the
past season, and the long conLinued drought
thing, aid has hardened the ground Sc
much tlsas It is impossible TO get the plough
into it, Sfr. AshburnerNs plants 81 prickay
confrey, which were SGT out at The begin
ming or April, are stan showing a fine crop
OF fresh, green leaves, and affortsng absnd-
ant fodder for horses and cattle
Cemsrey Is readily caten by horses, COWS,
sheen, pigs, and poultry. They usually
takedo Il at onces bsst should any reluctance
be shown at first it is q good plan 80 take
some leaves and stalks fresh from the plant,
run them through chaff Gutter, cut short,
and mix them With the ordinary feed.
Horses are brought ifto condition more
readily and economically by the use OF com
frey than by that of any other forage. The
milk OF cows is increased twenty-five .por
cent. BY its means, and it assists largely in
fattening cattle for the market. The sym
phytum aspernmlm Is dull OF q not I'm
nleasant glutinous mucilage, very usef2
in the cure Of wounds, interior or exterior;
diuretic, hence preventive Of fever; ;the
simple extract is given to adults and chill
dren as tea or syrup, sweetened with SUI
gar or honey, in case OF severe colds, cough,
and lung complaints, with good results.
An acre OF land, planted with sets two
feet six inches apart, will take about seven
thousand roots. The leaves may becut or
pulled, and in about 4 month viii be repro
duced. This operation may be repeated
constantly till the first frost sets ins and
by this means twenty tons per acre
may be gathered the first year
OF planting, fifty the second year, and eighty
to one hundred the third and following
years. The plant appears to thrive on all
descriptions of land, and to require very
little attention. A good dressing of stable
manure when the sets arc put out, and an
other before the frost sets in, with occa-
sional ploughing to keep down weeds, is all
the cultivation necessary, and the plants
will continue to yield abundant fodder for
at least twenty-five years.
The ieaves may be fed green during the
or1nner md may he tied in bundles and
dried for winter use, in which state they ap-
pear equally nutritious and palatabie.
The true symphytum asperrimum is pro-
pagated only by subdivision Of the roots,
the seeds being infertile; and it is most inl-
portant to secure plants Of the right sort, rs
there are sixteen descriptions OF comfrey,
and only one of any value; and the plant
once established in the land is almost in
cradicabie.