Madder is said to repay a nett profit of 200 dollars to the acre, when properly managed.  It produced on the farm of a gentleman, who has devoted some attention to this product in Ohio, at the rate of 2,000 lbs. per acre, and it may be made to produce 3,000 lbs., which is a greater yield than the average crops of Germany and Holland.  Nine acres were planted by another person in the United States, in 1839, which he harvested in 1842.  The labor required is said to be from 80 to 100 days work per acre.

In the third year the stems are pruned as in the two preceding, and in September the roots are dug up.  The roots are fusiform and thin, without any ramifications, and usually from three to five feet long.  As soon as raised, they are immediately cut into small pieces and dried, and are then merchantable.

Mr. Joseph Swift, an enterprising American farmer, of Erie county, Ohio, who occupies about 400 acres of choice land, mostly alluvial, in the valley of the Vermilion river, seven miles from Lake Erie, has detailed his practice in the “New Genesee Farmer” (an agricultural periodical), for March, 1843.  His directions must be understood as intended for those who wish to cultivate only a few acres, and cannot afford much outlay of capital.  Those who desire to engage in the business on an extensive scale, would need to adopt a somewhat different practice:—­

Soil and preparation.—­” The soil should be a deep, rich, sandy loam, free from weeds, roots, stones, &c., containing a good portion of vegetable earth.  Alluvial “bottom” land is the most suitable, but it must not be wet.  If old upland is used, it should receive a heavy coating of vegetable earth, from decayed wood and leaves.  The land should be ploughed very deep in the fall, and early in the spring apply about one hundred loads of well-rotted manure per acre, spread evenly, and ploughed in deeply; then harrow till quite fine and free from lumps.  Next plough the land into beds four feet wide, leaving alleys between three feet wide, then harrow the beds with a fine light harrow, or rake them by hand, so as to leave them smooth and even with the alleys; they are then ready for planting.

Preparing sets and planting.—­Madder sets or seed roots are best selected when the crop is dug in the fall.  The horizontal uppermost roots (with eyes) are the kind to be used; these should be separated from the bottom roots, and buried in sand in a cellar or pit.  If not done in the fall, the sets may be dug early in the spring, before they begin to sprout.  They should be cut or broken into pieces, containing from two to five eyes each; i.e., three to four inches long.  The time for planting is as early in the spring as the ground can be got in good order, and severe frosts are over, which in this climate (America) is usually about the middle of April.  With the beds prepared as directed, stretch a line lengthwise the bed, and with the corner of