320 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Swietenia Mahagoni, Linne. 



The Mahogany Tree of West India, extending naturally to 

 Florida and Mexico. The degree of endurance of this famous 

 tree is not sufficiently ascertained. In its native mountains it 

 ascends to 3,000 feet. 



Symphytum asperrimum, Sims.* 



The Prickly Pomfrey. Caucasus. The growth of this hardy 

 plant may be recommended as an adjunct to lupine culture. 

 The Hon. Arthur Holroyd, of Sydney, has recently devoted 

 a special publication to this plant. He quotes on good autho- 

 rity the return of foliage already in the first year as 20 tons 

 to the acre, in the second year 50 tons, and every year after 80 

 to 120 tons on manured land. It yields a nutritive and re- 

 lished forage in rapid and continuous reproduction. It is like- 

 wise recommended for green manure. Dr. Voelcker found 

 much mucilage but little sugar in this plant. The massive 

 root, known to penetrate to 9 feet depth, sustains the plant 

 in vigour, admitting it to be cut almost throughout the year. 

 The propagation is easy from root-cuttings, difficult from seeds, 

 4,000 of the former to an acre ; it will thrive even in sand and 

 tough clay, but prefers moist and even boggy land. In 

 tropical countries cattle have a predilection for it; there it 

 likes shade. The likewise borragineous Cynoglossum Morrisonii, 

 D'Cand., of North America, yields three cuttings annually. 

 Horses and cattle relish it. It ought to be naturalised along 

 swamps, lagoons, and river banks. It can be dried for hay. 

 Finally it is recommended as a plant for game. 



Symphytum officinale, Linne. 



The Comfrey. Europe, Western Asia. A perennial herb. 

 The root is utilised in veterinary practice. 



Symplocos ramosissima, Wallich. 



Himalaya, up to 7,500 feet. In Sikkim, according to Dr. 

 Stewart, the yellow silkworm is reared on the leaves of this 

 tree. Two allied species occur spontaneously in the forests of 

 East Australia. 



Syncarpia laurifolia, Tenore. 



Queensland and New South Wales. Vernacular name Turpen- 

 tine Tree ; attains a height of 200 feet, with a stem of great 

 thickness. The wood is comparatively soft and brittle, but 

 very durable, mostly used for flooring and cabinet-making, as 

 it takes a high polish (Hartmann). 



