264 Select Plants for Industrial Culture 



roots any plantation can gradually be increased, or this can be done 

 more extensively still by sowing the seeds. In all likelihood the plant 

 would thrive and become naturalized in Kerguelen's Land, the Falk- 

 land-Islands, the Faroe- and Shetland-Islands and many continental 

 places of both hemispheres far into cold latitudes. Dr Traill records it 

 having ripened seeds in the Orkney-Islands without protection. It 

 has proved quite hardy in England. Among the varieties three are 

 better characterized than the rest: the Tehore- the Swamp- and 

 the Hill-variety. The first and the last mentioned produce a fibre fine 

 and soft, yet strong, and the plant attains a height of only about 5 

 feet, whereas the Swamp-variety grows to double that height, pro- 

 ducing a larger yield of a coarser fibre, which is chiefly used for rope- 

 or paper-making. One of the most dwarf varieties is P. Colensoi (J. 

 Hooker). As might be expected, the richer the soil the more vigorous 

 the growth of the plant. Flooding now and then with fresh or 

 brackish water is beneficial, but it will not live, if this is permanent. 

 In swampy ground trenches should be dug, to divert the surplus of . 

 humidity. Fibre, free from gum-resin, properly dressed, withstands 

 moisture as well as the best Manilla-rope. Carefully prepared, the 

 fibre can be spun into various textile durable fabrics, either by itself 

 or mixed with cotton, wool or flax. Elegant articles are woven from 

 it by the Maoris. In October 1872 the sale of Phormium-fibre in 

 London was 11,500 bales, ranging in price from 19 to 31. The 

 tow can be converted into paper, distinguished for its strength and 

 whiteness. The London price of Phormium-fibre for this purpose is 

 from 10 to 20 per ton. A strong decoction of the root and leaf- 

 bases used in surgery for dressing wounds with a. view of producing 

 ready and healthy granulation (F. A. Moukton). 



For further details on the utilization of this plant, the elaborate 

 report of the New Zealand Commission for Phormium should be 

 consulted. 



Photinia eriobotrya, J. Hooker. (P. Japonica, Franchet and Savatier; 

 Eriobotrya Japonica, Lindley. ) 



The "Loquat." China and Japan. This beautiful evergreen 

 shrub or tree, remarkable for its refreshing fruit, is easily raised from 

 seed; or superior varieties can, according to G. W. Johnson, be grafted 

 not only on its own stock, but also on the Whitethorn, or better still 

 on the Quince. It is also a grand bush for scenic ornamental effects. 

 Hardy in England. Growth of celerity. In Southern Austria 

 flowering during midwinter; the flowers are intensely fragrant, and 

 do not suffer from a few degrees of frost; hence this plant is of parti- 

 cular horticultural importance, to contribute amply to garden- fragrance 

 in winter-time. In South-Austria the Loquat is the earliest fruit of 

 the season (Baron von Thuemen), bearing also copiously there. In 

 Greece the fruits ripen already during May. Hemsley mentions this 

 plant among the shrubs and trees, hardy in England, where however 

 it does not mature its fruits. P. villosa, D.C., also yields edible 

 native fruit to the Japanese. 



