368 Select Plants for Industrial Culture 



angustifolia (D. Don), S. densifolia (Grisebach) and S. multiflora 

 (Dalzell), besides species of Exacum and Andrographis. All come 

 from the cooler uplands, 



Swietenia Mahagoni, Linn.* 



The Mahogany-tree of the West-Indies, extending naturally to 

 Florida and Mexico. The degree of endurance of this famous tree 

 seems not sufficiently ascertained. In its native mountains it ascends 

 to 3,000 feet. It reaches a considerable height, and the stem a 

 diameter of 6 or 7 feet, indicating a very great age. Sir William 

 Hooker counted 200 wood-rings in a block of 4 feet width, which may 

 not however indicate as many years of age. The importation of 

 Mahogany-wood into the United Kingdom in 1884 amounted to 

 62,000 tons at a value of 562,000. 



Symphytum officinale, Linne.* 



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

 root is utilized chiefly in veterinary practice. 



Symphytum peregrinum, Ledebour.* 



The Prickly Comfrey. Caucasus and Persia. 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 seemingly good authority the 

 return of foliage even in the first year as 20 tons to the acre, in the 

 second year 50 tons, and every year after the astonishing quantity of 

 80 to even 120 tons on richly manured land. Anyhow this herb 

 yields a nutritive and relished foliage in rapid and continuous 

 reproduction. It is likewise recommended for green manure. Dr. 

 Curl observed it to grow well in the moist climate of New Zealand 

 during the hottest and driest as well as coldest weather. Fit 

 especially for sub-alpine country. Dr. Voelcker found much mucilage 

 but little sugar in this plant. The massive root, known to penetrate 

 to a great depth, sometimes to fully 9 feet, sustains the plant in vigor, 

 allowing 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 (De Candolle), of North America, yields three cuttings 

 annually. Horses and cattle relish it. It ought to be naturalized 

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

 Finally it is recommended as a plant for game. It ought to suit well 

 for ensilage. 



Symplocos ramosissima, Wallich. 



Himalayas, 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 far south, 

 many in Southern Asia, several in tropical America. 



