IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 83 



wants damp soil : the harvest is in three, four, or five months. 

 Unlike cotton it will bear a slight frost. Under favourable cir- 

 cumstances 2,000 to 7,000 Ibs. may be obtained from an acre. 

 It is best grown on flooded ground, as otherwise it proves an 

 exhaustive crop. Two hundred million pounds of jute were 

 woven in 1876 in Dundee, and 50 million gunny bags were ex- 

 ported from Britain in one single year, according to S. Water- 

 house. Jute does not so easily decay when exposed to moisture 

 as hemp. 



Corchorus olitorius, Linnet* 



South Asia and North A ustralia. Furnishes, with the fore- 

 going species, the principal supply of jute fibre. As it also 

 is an annual, it can be brought to perfection in the summers of 

 the warm temperate zone. The foliage can be used for spinach. 

 The fibre is not so strong as hemp, but very easily prepared. 

 It will not endure exposure to water. The allied Corchorus 

 trilocularis, L., of Indian origin, is likewise a native of eastern 

 tropical and sub-tropical Australia. 



Cordyline Banksii, J. Hooker. 



New Zealand. This lax and long-leaved Palm- Lily attains a 

 height of 10 feet ; its stem is usually undivided. This and 

 the following species have been admitted into this list for a 

 double reason, because not only are they by far the hardiest, 

 quickest growing and largest of the genus, and thus most 

 sought in horticultural trade for scenic planting, but also 

 because they furnish from the leaves a superior fibre for ropes 

 and other textile purposes. The small seeds are produced in 

 great abundance, and germinate with extreme readiness. These 

 Palm-Lilies ought to be naturalised in forest ranges by mere 

 dissemination. 



Cordyline Baueri, J. Hooker. (C. Australia, Endlicher, not J. 

 Hooker.) 



Norfolk Island. The stem of this stately species attains a 

 height of 40 feet, and becomes in age ramified. It is very 

 intimately allied to the following species, 



> 

 Cordyline indivisa, Kunth. 



New Zealand. The stem of this thick and rigid-leaved palm- 

 like species rises to a height of 20 feet, and remains undivided. 

 Leaves finally 5 inches broad; yield the toi fibre. Aged 

 leaves persistent in a perfectly downward position for many 

 years. Panicle at first erect. Berries white. 



