The progress., 1904-02-20
WITCH HAZEL DIsruLER1Es.


Few persons who use witch hazel ex'
tract for the many purposes to which II
is put are aware Of the way in which II
is manufactured. 1t has for years beer
used as an ingredient for toilet and shay
ing soaps and owing to its great healing
properties 1t is many times called golden
treasure. The name witch hazel, OF
witch hazel, known by the Latin name Of
Hamamelis Virginiana, came from the
early,settlers from England where witch
hazel, or wych hazel, is the name applied
to an elm which grows in considerable
quantity. The leaves Of this shrub, OF
small tree resemble those OF the hazel
and its wood is often used to make the
chests of boxes for provisions, formerly
called wyches.
The American hazel is found in damp
woods from Canada to Louisiana. 1t Is
. shrub with long and plant branches,
which sometimes reach the height OF 70
feet, but usually not over ten feet. Tne
flowers, from buds formed during the
summer, open just as the leaves are fal-
ling in October and November. Its yell
low petalled flowers blossoming at this
time of year give it a strange appearance,
which together with it's healing proper
ties helped to fasten upon it the name
witch hazel The fruit, which is two
seeded capsule, natures the following
summer.
The wood is white and close and the
bark and leaves contain large amount
of tanning. The trunks are usually twist
ed and owing to the spotted bark, slatish
and white, the shrub is known through
out New England at least, as spotted
alder The small branches are often
used as divining rods in locating water,
so great is the faith put in the shrub.
Sometimes it groves to be as thick
through at the butt as a mans arm, but
usually it is from one to five inches in
diameter and this is the size desired by
the witch hazel distillers.
While witch hazel is found generally
throughout Connecticut, says the Hart
ford Courant, it grows much more thick
ly in some places than others; for in
stance, Simsbury is rich in this shrub
and in parts of Litchfield county it
abounds. 1t is also found in goodly
quantities along the valley of the Con-
necticut and on the hill towns nearby.
So great has been the demand for brush
that it has been largely cut off in many
places in Middlesex county, especially
along the river towns, and the manufac-
turers are reaching back to the country
towns beyond to secure their supply. 1t
usually takes from three to five years
for a new crop to grow.
Essex is really the home of the witch
hazel distilleries, for there it has been
distilled for many years, and also in
neighboring villages. Essex is the home
of the largest distiller, or one of the
largest distillers, in America, E. E.
Dickinson, having made his money
chiefly in the witch hazel business. His
father, the Rev. Thomas Dickinson, dis
titled, in a small way, witch hazel and
black birch, the latter for oil.
To-day the extract is shipped to every
part of the civilized world, and it is as
well known in Cape Town as in Paris.
Ine business increased WIN Sucn rapid
ity that others branched out into the
trade but Dickinson being in the lead
continued on, while others dropped to
the rear However, few continued and
there are other plants scattered along
the Connecticut river towns in Chester,
Higganum and Haddam, as we'll as in
other parts of the country.
About five gallons of alcohol to every
barrel of extract is used. The securing
of the brush has proved profitable busi-
ness for the farmers, as it is gathered in
the fall and winter. AS high as $500
has been carried at one load.
The brush delivered bring $3.50 ton.
Where it is purchased standing the price
varies as to conditions in gathering, etc.,
from so cents to one dollar per ton. Its
yield can be imagined when it is known
that about eight tons have been cut from
16 acres. 1t is easy to cut, and, being left
In piles, is gathered up, openings being
left for the wagons to come through.