Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 290, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1916 — Dyes From the Alder. [ARTICLE]

Dyes From the Alder.

For the purpose of making dyes, the common alder appears to have been unnoticed by the pioneers of this country, who make use of so many barks and foots. However, it was well known to the Indians, who used it to good effect It dyes a reddish color, and down to a few years ago was employed by natives of the Northwest Pacific coast in coloring their fish nets. Alder dye, used for the same purpose, la said to be the oldest recorded dye in the world. It is mentioned in the Kalevala of Finland, supposed to date near*' ly 3,000 years ago.