60 Select Plants for Industrial Culture 



Brussels-sprouts, kale, kohl-rabi &c. Some regard the fattening 

 qualities of cabbage as superior to those of turnips, particularly for 

 stable-food during the autumnal season. The gluten of cabbages on 

 one acre has been estimated at 1,500 Ibs. against 1,000 Ibs. of gluten 

 obtainable from turnips. Other races of this species are collectively 

 represented by Brassica Rapa, L. (B. campestris, L.), the wild Navew, 

 yielding most of the varieties of turnips, some handed down to us from 

 ancient times with other cultivated forms. Again, other varieties are 

 comprehended within Brassica Napus, L., such as the Swedish and 

 Teltower turnips, while the Eape-seed, so important for its oil (Colza), 

 is also derived from a form of B. Napus. The Rape-plant should 

 be reared extensively for agrarian produce, giving a rapid return, 

 wherever it remains free from aphides. Ordinary Rape is a good 

 admixture to summer-fodder. Important where bees are kept. The 

 hardier turnips can be produced on the highest Alps, as they are 

 grown even within the Arctic Circle, and according to Sir J. Hooker 

 at a height of 15,000 feet in the Himalayan mountains. Oil-Rape 

 and Turnips are grown as far north as 70 22' in Norway (Schue- 

 beler), yet they also succeed as winter-crops in the hottest parts 

 of Central Australia. Rhind mentions a very tall variety, introduced 

 from the Vendee, as cattle-provender. MJUJ 



Bromus asper, Murray. 



Europe, Northern and Middle Asia. A good perennial fodder-grass 

 for wood- regions; but like Festuca gigantea late in the season. 



Bromus ciliatus, Linne. 



North-America. A perennial fattening grass, resembling the 

 Prairie-grass, growing in mild temperate climes all the winter and also 

 during summer, if drought is not too long continued, starting afresh 

 after the least rain (Dr. Curl). 



Bromus erectus, Hudson. 



Europe, Northern Africa. Important as a perennial nutritious 

 grass for dry limestone-regions; much liked by cattle and sheep. 



Bromus unioloides, Humboldt.* (B. Schraderi, Kunth.) 



From Central America to the sub-alpine zone of Northern Argen- 

 tina. In Australia called the Prairie-grass. It has spread over many 

 parts of the globe. The writer saw it disseminated on the mountains 

 of St. Vincent's Gulf as early as 1847. It is one of the richest of all 

 grasses, grows continuously and spreads rapidly from seeds, particu- 

 larly on fertile and somewhat humid soil, and has proved as a lasting 

 and nutritious fodder-grass or pasture-grass one of our best acquisi- 

 tions. Very early out in the season for fodder. Kept alive in the 

 hottest and driest parts of Central-Australia, where it was first intro- 

 duced by the writer of this work. In Norway it comes to perfection 

 up to lat. 67 55' (Schuebeler). Chemical analysis in early spring 

 gave: albumen, 2-80; gluten, 3*80; starch, 3'30; gum, 17'0; sugar, 

 2-30 per cent. (F. v. Mueller and L. Rummel). 



