60S Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Oct., 1918. 



available in such very large quantities, can }>e readily converted into an 

 excellent printing paper, as well as good writing paper. 



Xanthorrhaa nustraUs, R. Br., "Southern Grass Tree"; ordei, 

 Lilliaceee; distribution, Vi/Ctoria and Tasmania. The Southern Grass 

 Tree is widely dispersed throughout the State, and may be had in 

 abundance. It prefers sandy soil, and is found in profusion on coastal 

 plains almost anywhere l>etween the South Australian border and Cape 

 Howe. The leaves of th!s species of grass tree afford a very good fibre, 

 but it is somewhat difficult to prepare on account of the quantity of 

 silica autj r'asin which the leaves contain. Resin obtainable from the 

 base of the leaves, and from the trunk, is in demand as a colouring for 

 varnishes, for the manufacture of sealing wax, for dyeing purposes, and 

 also for the large percentage of picric acid which it contains. The stem 

 sometimes attains a Tieight of 10 or 12 feet, and is crowned with a dense 

 lieau of bru.sh-like leaves. The flower scajie is often 8 feet or more in 

 length. 



Xanthonh(jb<i /lasti/ts, R. lir., " Si'EAR Grass Tree"; order, 

 Liliaceae; distribution, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. 

 The Spear Grass Tree is confined in Victoria to the eastern extremity of 

 Gippsland, and as a fibre-plant is quite equal to the preceding species. 



Jj'ui'lhella UiHiiianica, Hook, f., " Tasman Flax Lily " ; order, 

 Liliaceae; distribution, Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania. 

 The Tasman Flax Lily abounds in tlie densely shaded fern gullies of 

 the eastern parts of Victoria, where it grows abundantly, and frequently 

 it is found overhanging banks of mountain streams. It is a good fibre 

 plant, and supplies splendid paper stock. Tiie fibre of this plant was 

 used by the natives for making baskets. 



DlaneUa tasmanica, J look, f., " Takman Flax Lily''; order, 

 Liliaceae; distribution, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, 

 Tasmania, and Queensland. The Long-leaved Flax Lily is an 

 herbaceous perennial which bears an inflorescence of sky-blue flowers, 

 and when in fruit its shining blue berries render it very attractive and 

 showy. It produces a strong filire of fine, silky texture, which could 

 be made into twine and fishing lines. 



Diaibrlla revoluta, R. Rr., " Spkkading Flax Lily"; order, 

 Liliaceoi; distribution, Vicloiia, New South Wales, South Australia, 

 Tasmania, Queensland, and Weslern Australia. The Spreading Flax Lily 

 is very plentifully distributed lliroughout the State, and thrives well in 

 sandy soils. It produces a fair fibre, which is obtained by boiling and 

 scraping the leaves. 



hniicrdta (triindinucea, Cyr., " Bladv Grass"; order, Gramineae; 

 distribution, Victoria^ New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, 

 Queensland, Northern Australia, and Western Australia, Europe, Asia, 

 Africa, America. Polynesia, and New Zealand. The Blady Grass is a 

 showy cosmopolitan grass, uually found in wet undrained land or sour 

 soils in the moist parts of Victoria. Its strong, broad leaves are often 

 used by brickmakors for a thatch to protect bricks when wet, and it is 

 recommendecT for binding river banks and loose coast sands. It has 

 been suggested that it might \tv. found useful for paper making. 



Arnndo Phrtu/initrft, " !>," "Common Reed"; order, Gramineae; 

 distribution, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, 

 Queensland, Western Australia, Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Poly- 

 nesia, and New Zealand. The Common Reed is a tall, cosmopolitan 



