The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-04-21
SOMETHING ABOUT Ircon ICE.
Where II Grows as n Weed-Hosy stick
LtcOrice IL Made-QuaIity.

Licorice was used by the ancient Greeks
and Romans, and its name, which is derived
from the Greek, signifies sweet root. The
plant grows wild in most of the countries
that border ON the Mediterranean Sea. In
northern Africa it is very common, and is
regarded by farmers and gardeners as a
weed 1t is very difficult to exterminate il
when it is once introduced on land. II
thrives in hot countries best on land that
Is quite moist, and is generally found ON the
rich bottom lind in the rivers and streams.
1t seems likely that the Saracens cultivated
it in southern Spain. The only part of the
plant that is valuable is the root which in
suitable soil will grow to the length of six
or eight feet. These roots, properly cleaned,
cut in pieces about foot long and tied up
bundles, may be seen in any drug store.
stick hcoriee is made by crushing and
'rnding the root TO pulp, which is boiled
water over an open fire, and the decoc-
sion separated from the solid residue of the
root, is evaporated in copper pans till n suf-
ficient degree of concentration is attained,
after which, on cooling, it is rolled into the
form of sticks or other shapes for the mar
ket. The preparation of the Juice is wide
lyextended industry along the Mediterranean
coasts, but the quality best appreciated In
the united kingdom is made in Calabria, and
sold under the name of solazzi and cerigliano
juice. The licorice grown in Yorkshire,
England, is made into CONNECTION called
pontefract cake.
Licorice in various forms is a popular
remedy for coughs, and it is largely used by
children as a sweetmeat. 1t enters into the
composition of many cough lozenges and
other demulcent preparations, and in the
form of aromatic syrups and elixirs ii has a
remarkable effect in masking the taste of
nauseous medicines, property peculiar to
glycyrhizin. A considerable quantity of
licorice paste is used in the preparation of
tobacco for chewing. Commercial licorice
often contains distinct traces of copper APP
parently derived from the vessels in which
the juice is inspissated. 1t is often adulter.
ated with gum arabic, -four and starch. Lie
orice is also used to considerable extent in
the manufacture of porter and some other
malt liquors. Probably the largest proper
ton of the licorice brought to this country
is used in the manufacture of plug" to-
bacco. aafi ~ IF
The quality of root produced in the diff.
ferent countries is as follows Asiatic Tur-
key, decidedly bitter; Greece, bitter, but
not SO bitter as Asiatic Turkey Sicily,
sweet, but less SO than Spanish Spain, rich
and sweet; Italy, richest and sweetest of
all. The difference in the quality Of the
roo, is presumed to be due to the peculiari-
ties of the soil and climate. A large part Of
the roots produced in Spain and Portugal ia
sold to the French and English who manu-
facture it into cakes. The plant is not cul-
tivated in these countries. 1t grows wild in
favorable localities and attains a height of
from three to five feet. The stalks are
sometimes used for fuel, but no other use ia
made of them. The ground occupied by
the plants is dug over every fourth or fifth
year. Ordinarily enough remains in the
soil to insure the production of new stock
of plants. England appears to be almost
the only country in the world In which the
plant is cultivated. 1t was probably brought
to this country by the monks, who used il
for medicine.