Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 116, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 October 1909 — VALUABLE MEXICAN TREES. [ARTICLE]

VALUABLE MEXICAN TREES.

Bomo Contain Medicinal and Antiseptic Qualities. Consul Despinasse, of Tuxpam, says there are tree* In Mexico that may be made as valuable to commerce as are the rubber trees. He says that in the dense woodlands of Vera Cruz there are numerous plants reputed to possess medicinal virtues and others which could be profitably utilized for commercial purposes. “One tree,” he states, "yields a deep brownish red, thick sap of a slightly resinous odor. The process of extraction }s simple; slight superficial incisions are made in the bark, terminating at the foot of the tree; a medium sized leaf or strip of palmetto ie inserted underneath the bark, so as to form & girtte- into which the sap drips, and as it overflows it drips Into a receptacle placed underneatn the leaf. When exposed to the atmosphere the sap does not epear to undergo fermentation, but becomes slightly denser. A bottle was lett open for a year, but no apparent cnange appears to have occurred. Small quantities a r e exported to Germany. Buyers claim that it is employed in the preparation of carmine ink; this is doubtful. It may have other and more v: luable uses, which are not divulged. It may be used in the arts or In the making of medicines. “As there Is no regular demand, price cannot be determined, and samples, small or large, are paid for according to the time a laborer employs in extracting the sap. The natives say it is an excellent dentlfrioe and mouth wash, healing ulcerated parts. It is a powerful antiseptic, being employed with excellent results ©a fresn or old wounds; It congeals and chdCks the flow of blood. It has been employed as an Indelible stain; wood treated with it, when thoroughly dried afterward, does net appear to be affected by water or diluted acids, the stain remaining unaltered. On cloth It acts as a perfect dye, acids or alkalies seeming to have no perceptible effect on its color. The foregoing are statements made by persons who have experimented with this sap, hence ought to have weight. “The palo de leche tree Is quite common in. damp or marshy locations; the sap Is milk white and about the same consistency as rich milk; it is a powerful caustic. Partial or total blindness may ret alt when this sap has by accident been injected Into the eyes; the natives claim that a strong decoction of the Chili pepper, If applied in time, will dissolve the thick film-which gradually spreads over the eyes when stacked by this fluid. It Is averred that a few drops in a glass of wate- acts as a violent poison, often proving fatal; It is employed by the natives in diluted form, which they spread on the surface of streams or lakes to stupefy fish, which they consume. If properly analysed this fluid might prove valuable; samples, however, are very difficult to obtain, as the native laborer cannot be Induced to approach the tree, of which he has the greatest fear. However, there are some who will take the risk If they are well paid, which, no matter how large, Is but a trifling amount compared with the danger to which they imagine they will be exposed. "The honote tree produces a very fine, long fibre (ten to fifteen feet), which is extracted from the inner surface of the bark. Each tree will produce from four to five pounds of fibre. “The ojiote Is a vine from one to four Inches In diameter, growing In slightly damp and shady locations. The vine furnishes a white, milky, gummy juice, which is employed as a cement to unite leather, and the united parts will -hold with great tenacity when subject to severe tension. A section of vine about eight feet long and three inches In diameter Is chopped Into short lengths and allowed to drip, producing In this crude manner about four to five ounces of the milk, but, as It coagulates rapidly, only a small portion Is extracted."

Women Who Compiand Regiment*. European women are popularly supposed to possets fewer rights than their American sisters; yet one distinction enjoyed by them la little known on this side of the ocean, im the Prussian army alone the commanders of fourteen regiments are women; and, although the position is purely formal, yet these female colonels enjoy like military rank with the male holders of the title, ana, on occasion, wear the uniform of their office. The distinction is not confined to German women, although rereserved for thore through wfcoee veins flows royal, or, at leart, princely blood. Those who have been thus honored are as follows: The Grand Duchess of Mecklenbprg-gcbwerin, the Grand Duchess of Baden, the Empress Alexandra of Russia, the Crcwn Princess of Greece, the Empress Augusta Victoria of Germany, the Duchess of Connaught, the Queen Dow iger of Holland, the Princess of Sachsen-Mein-gen, the Queen Dowager of Italy, the Princess of Scbsumburg-Lippe. the Princess Frederick Karl of Hasson, the Princess Karl of Prussia. Queen Wilbelmnta of Holland, and the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg. Of tbsse befrocked commanders eight belong to the infantry, three to the guard de corps, and three to the cavalry. “So she married that awful Jack Rounder? Why. didn’t site know that he had been blackballed by every club in SownT” •• ■ : i flea—that's why «h* took him. She thought thered be some chance of keeping btm at home evenings”— Cleveland Leads?.