A Catechism of Familiar Things | Page 6

The corn of Syria has always been very superior, and by
many classed above that of Egypt.
For what is Barley generally used?
It is very extensively used for making malt, from which are prepared

beer, ale, porter, &c.; in Scotland it is a common ingredient in broths,
for which reason its consumption is very considerable, barley broth
being a dish very frequent there.
Ingredient, a separate part of a body consisting of different materials.
What is Pearl Barley?
Barley freed from the husk by a mill.
What are Oats?
A valuable grain, serving as food for horses. Oats are also eaten by the
inhabitants of many countries, after being ground into meal and made
into oat cakes. Oatmeal also forms a wholesome drink for invalids, by
steeping it in boiling water.
What are the uses of Rye?
In this and some other countries it is much used for bread, either alone
or mixed with wheat; in England principally as food for cattle,
especially for sheep and lambs, when other food is scarce in winter.
Rye yields a strong spirit when distilled.
Distilled, subjected to distillation--the operation of extracting spirit
from a substance by evaporation and condensation.
Of what country is the Potato a native?
Potatoes grew wild in Peru, a country of South America; whence they
were transplanted to other parts of the American continent, and
afterwards to Europe. The honor of introducing this useful vegetable
into England is divided between Sir Francis Drake, in 1580, and Sir
Walter Raleigh, in 1586, some ascribing it to the former, and others to
the latter. It is certain they were obtained from Virginia in the time of
Raleigh; they were cultivated only in the gardens of the nobility, and
were reckoned a great delicacy. They now constitute a principal article
of food in most of the countries of Europe and America; in Ireland,

they have long furnished nearly four-fifths of the entire food of the
people.
What part of the plant is eaten?
The root, which, when roasted or boiled, affords a wholesome and
agreeable meal.
What is Tea?
The leaves of an evergreen shrub, a native of China and Japan, in which
countries alone it is extensively cultivated for use. The tea-plant was at
one time introduced into South Carolina, where its culture appears to
have been attended with but little success. It may yet become a staple
production of some portions of the United States.
Evergreen, retaining its leaves fresh and green through all seasons.
How is it prepared for use?
By carefully gathering the leaves, one by one, while they are yet small,
young, and juicy. They are then spread on large flat iron pans, and
placed over small furnaces, when they are constantly shifted by the
hand till they become too hot to be borne.
What is next done?
They are then removed with a kind of shovel resembling a fan, and
poured on mats, whence they are taken in small quantities, and rolled in
the palm of the hand always in one direction, until they cool and retain
the curl.
How often is this operation repeated?
Two or three times, the furnace each time being made less hot. The tea
is then placed in the store-houses, or packed in chests, and sent to most
of the countries in Europe and America.
Describe the appearance of the Tea-tree.

The Tea-tree when arrived at its full growth, which it does in about
seven years, is about a man's height; the green leaves are narrow, and
jagged all round; the flower resembles that of the wild rose, but is
smaller. The shrub loves to grow in valleys, at the foot of mountains,
and on the banks of rivers where it enjoys a southern exposure to the
sun; though it endures considerable variation of heat and cold, as it
flourishes in the northern clime of Pekin, where the winter is often
severe; and also about Canton, where the heat is sometimes very great.
The best tea, however, grows in a temperate climate, the country about
Nankin producing better tea than either Pekin or Canton, between
which two places it is situated.
What produces the difference between Green and Bohea, or Black?
There are varieties of the plant, and the difference of the tea arises from
the mode of preparation.
What nation first introduced it into Europe?
The Dutch in 1610; it was introduced into England in 1650
What is Coffee?
The berry of the coffee-tree, a native of Arabia. The coffee-tree is an
evergreen, and makes a beautiful appearance at all times of the year,
but especially when in flower, and when the berries are red, which is
usually during the winter. It is also cultivated in Persia, the East Indies,
Liberia on the coast of Africa, the West Indies, Brazil and other