in Extra-Tropical Countries. 185 



several feet high. Pods sickle-shaped, short, compressed. One of 

 the principal Indigo-plants under cultivation both in the eastern and 

 western hemisphere. Only in the warmer parts of the temperate zone 

 can we hope to produce indigo with remunerative success. But many 

 of the hardier species seem never yet to have been tested for pigment. 

 Over 100 have already been recorded from extra-tropical Southern 

 Africa alone. An Indigofera of Georgia, said to be wild, perhaps I. 

 Anil, yields an excellent product. The pigment in all instances is 

 obtained by maceration of the foliage, aeration of the liquid and 

 inspissation of the sediment. 



Indigofera argentea, Linn. (7. ccerulea, Roxburgh.) 



Tropical and extra-tropical Northern Africa, Arabia and perhaps 

 India. A shrub, several feet high, closely allied to I. Anil, and like- 

 wise a good Indigo-plant. 



Indigofera tinctoria, Linn^.* 



Warmest parts of Asia, as far east as Japan; recorded also from 

 tropical Africa and even Natal as wild and seemingly also indigenous 

 to Northern Queensland. A shrubby plant, attaining a height of 6 

 feet. Pods straight, cylindical, many-seeded. Extensively cultivated 

 in warm zones for indigo, and probably hardy in warm temperate 

 regions. The plant is frequently sold fresh by the grower to the 

 factories. The Indigo-plant requires a rich friable soil, neither too 

 moist nor too dry. The seeds are sown in furrows about a foot apart, 

 and in hot damp climes the plant can be cut in about two months, as 

 soon as it begins to flower; in six or eight weeks it yields a second 

 crop, and under favorable circumstances as many as four crops can be 

 gathered in a year. The plants have to be renewed every year, as the 

 old ones do not yield an abundant produce. Bright sunshine favors 

 the development of the dye-principle, but frequent rains cause a more 

 luxuriant growth (Hartwig). In 1884 Great Britain imported 1 04,000 

 cwt. of Indigo, valued at 2,484,000. 



Inula Helenium, Linn. 



The Elecampane. Middle and Southern Europe, Middle Asia east- 

 ward to Japan. A perennial herb. The bitter and somewhat aromatic 

 root, for the sake of its stimulating and tonic properties used in medi- 

 cine. It contains also the amylaceous inulin and the crystalline 

 helenin. With many other large herbs adaptable for scenic effects. 



Ipomcea Batatas, Poiret.* (Batatas edulis, Choisy.) 



The Sweet Potato. Tropical South-America. First brought to 

 Europe from Brazil. It has proved well adapted also for the southern 

 part of Australia and for New Zealand. The tuberous roots afford a 

 palatable food, more nutritious than ordinary potatoes; they can also 

 be well utilized for starch. Varieties with red, white and yellow 

 roots occur. Each tuber weighs generally from 3 to 5 Ibs., but may 

 occasionally attain to 56 Ibs. The yield is . 200 to 800 bushels from 

 an acre. 



N2 



