Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-03-16


tribute it, to show consumers that the prod
uct is acceptable.
This newly developed food product is ex-
peeted to increase interest in sweet potato
raising. The Gull potatoes-the jumhos that
are too large and the dwarf potatoes that are
too small to be fit to market-can be turned
into syrup as a practical commercial propo-
sition, the Bureau of Chemistry says.
But though new kinds of syrup are the
bureaus most engrossing interest just now,
they are not, perhaps, novel as new
drink. The beverage which the bureau is
developing somewhat resembles tea. 1t is
made from a plant known cassina which
grows luxuriantlX in the south Cassina is
an herb belonging to the same family as
yerba mate of South America. 1t is kind
of holly with leaves small and round ike
mistletoe and red holly berries. 1t grows 20
feet high in hedges and windbreaks on south
ern farms. \.
''The leaves of this plant are said to have
been used in the Civil War by colored peo-
pie as tea" DR.. Skinner explained But
tea is not properly made from leaves simply
picked and marketed. The leaves must be
cured, and it is this process that we are de-
veloping. Investigations are being carried
on in South Carolina and other places and
we hope to produce new drink which will
meet with favor among the tea conno1sseurs
of this country.
eve have made some excellent tea from
the leaves of this plant. It has bouquet
similar to high-grade tea with p1quant
flavor of it's own that is peculiarly agreeable.
We are hoping to produce it this year on a
semi-commercial scale, and we believe that
it will prove to be cheaper than tea. This
does not mean that it is to be a cheap product
that may be substituted for tea or blenden
with tea. It is new beverage that will be
introduced on its own merits. Both tea and
coffee are altogether imported by this coun-
try. Here is the possibility, our experimental
work shows, for development of great
American beverage industry, for cassina can
be grown anywhere from North Carolina
down through the south"
May Export Tea Substitute
It is even thought possible that cassina
tea might prove profitable export to coun-
tries using >yerba mate. Argentina, the coun-
try where yerba mate Is in highest favor,
uses 100000 pounds OF 1T year. All Dut
100000 pounds are imported, largely from
Brazil and Paraguay. If the cass1na drink
proves acceptable it is possible that we may
EXPORT some to Argentina. Aside from the
fact that yerba mate has smoky taste,
slightly reminiscent Of creosote, due to the
leaves being dried over a wood fire, it tastes
very similar to cass1na.
The Bureau of Chemistry is working with
various other chronological projects In which
it sees possibilities of helping the farmer, the
manufacturer and the general public. The
grease that is always present in wool When II
comes from the sheep has been made sub
iect for investigation in the bureau with the
result that what was once wasted is now be-
ing used for lanolin in making cosmetics, and
that potash is also obtained from the wool
scourings.
New methods of manufacturing 1nsecti-
cides, commercial dehydration of fruits and
vegetables ways of preserving tenting and
other farm fabrics are other propositions on
which the bureau is working. Almost every
product on the farm has possibilities for
greater use, but the bureau is limited in
funds It has to take up the work that seems
most needed.
at is mainly in the last half century,, Dr.
Skinner concluded, chat agricultural chem
istry has played it's important part in develop
ing materials and we believe that in future
chemistry is going to render even greater
service than it has in the past