The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-02-21
SOUTHERN FIELD AND FOREST REsoupcrs

from DR.. Porcher's valuable book. with ;
nope that they may be Interesting and in
structlvc to our readers, and that thew ma
be utilized by them - Charleston JpcehIy
Nc,cs
WILD CHERRY.-One of the most val.
uaolc OF our indigenous plants. The bark
from any part of the tree makes a very
powerful tonic, but that from the root better
ehan from the body of the tree 1t is ne
cul'ariy suited to the hectic feye -si-.ss,s;.s4.
bic Ill dyspepsia, attended with neuralgic
symptoms. The bark should never be boil
| cd, but have its virtues extracted by cold
water Half an ounce Of the bruised bark
maccrated i'll one pint of cold water for
twenty four hours, aud taken three or four
times daily in doses Of two to three ounces,
is good tonic. Five ounces of powdered
bark, two pounds Of sugar, and enough wa
ter to moisten the bark through, kept in a
close vessel for twcnty-four hours, and then
mixci with enough water to get pint of
liquor by fi.tcring, will make tonic that
may be taken inohalf ounce doses. This
| liquor contains elements that will kill cat
in five minutes, if administered in small
doses. Cherry cordial is made by filling a
vessel with cherries and covering with
whSkey; let it stand for several weeks,
pour off the clear liquor, press the juice
out Of the cherries, add five pints of brown
sugar and five pins Of water, aud boil to
desired consistency.
SUMACu.-Thc bark Of the root boiled
in equal parts Of milk and water, and with
flour made into poultice and applied to
burns, will cure without leaving scar
| The eXcresccuces on the leaves are some
times as large as Il persimmon, and arc
powerfully astringcnt, and perfect SUBJ
stitutc for tannin. An infusion from the
inner bark of the root is, whcu used as
g"rglc, specific in the sore throat attend
ing mcrcural salvation. The bark is con-
sdcred ic5riiuge. The berries make Que
of the handsomest black dyes for woollen
fabrics, if boiled in layers with the wool or
fabrics, rtttout copperas. When ground
they arc often used for favoring tobacco,
and ;nTlc5 the pqW,asared leaves are sometimes
There is no more valuable agent in tanning
leather than the leaves of the Sumach-
They should be gathered in the fall as one
gathers fodder, dried in the shade, and
frequently turned while drying to prevent
heating. They are sold by the pound and
are worth in England from $75 to S1O0
per ton. Thousands Of pounds arc shipped
annually from Virginia.
SPANISH OAK.-This and many other
oaks produce an cXcrcsccnce called gall
nuts or oak gals, which contain tannin and
are used for making ink. The fresh oak
gall rubbed up with mcrcurial ointment
| Of 1;,l h.; 81.
y dccoction is administered with great sue
cess in dyscntary, pulmonary and uterine
hcmorrhagc, and some physicians have
used it successfully in intermittent fcvers.
All the oak family are astrngcnt, and
make valuable dyes. Red oak dccoction,
with sulphate Of copper, will make green
or black color, and is everywhere used for
tanning leatter Other woods dye different
colors. Hickory bark with copperas will
make an olive color; maple gives purple
dye; the tea leaf a yellow and the white
oak 4 brown color. Walnut leaves miIom
coppcras and repeatedly boiled will make a
black dye. Bncksmiths dust is a good
substitute in dying for coppcras. Acorns
from the Spanish and white oaks are almost
as valuable us corn or food ior hogs.
| ALDER. The bark Is aStrlngcnt, and
dccoction is valuable ms an Alternative in
scrofula and cutancous diseases. Poulticcs
made Of the leaves are used as Il loca! appli-
cation to tumor|, sprainS, swelling, &c.-
The leaves are ar!Hcl externally To wound,
and ulcers. The inncr bari. Of the root is
emctic aud has been givcn in iutcrmittcnts.
The shoot, cut in March will mpart u en-
namon color 10 cloths aud flanncls Boil
the bark, skim and strain wet the cloth in
strong Iyc and dip in the alder liquor and
let it remain untii cool enough 10 wriug
the color viii Er indrillblc. The alder Is,
used by tanners aud dycrs.
SLIPPERY EM.-Ihis tree is perhaps
too well known "n account "f it's bark to
be introduce here: but We give q few con
dcnscl sentences from DR.. Porchcr's book
The bark is IN excellent dcmulccnt employed
as soitcning application, is recommended
to be used internally in suppression of the
urine inflammation OF the bladder, dyscntcry
or diarrhDl. \ d coction of this bark
combined with lhe root Of the sassalras and
guaiac, is valuable as drink to increase
cutancous Transportation, and to improve the
tone OF the digestive organs.