FIBRE PLANTS 327 



The fibre becomes brittle if the nuts are allowed 

 to ripen. It is used for leaf mold in greenhouses 

 and conservatories. 



RAFFIA 



The long, thin strips of strong, tying material 

 that hang in greenhouses and packing sheds of 

 nurseries are obtained by skinning the leaves 

 of a palm tfee that grows abundantly in the 

 wilds of Madagascar and Brazil. The "Arts and 

 Crafts" people discovered its usefulness in bas- 

 ketry, weaving, and other fancy work. Milliners 

 made it into hats. The increased demand has 

 doubled the price. It can be bought in a variety 

 of colors. The uses are not yet extensive enough 

 greatly to increase the present demand. 



BROOM CORN 



Three varieties of sorghum are important: two 

 as food plants, and the third furnishes the house- 

 wife with brooms. Kafir corn feeds stock and 

 poultry in this country: it feeds both man and 

 beast in Africa, India, and China. Sorghum 

 molasses replaces sugar to a considerable extent. 

 In our country to-day, it is a feeble competitor 

 of sugar-cane and beets. 



