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SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Sophora tetraptera, Alton. (Var. Macnabiana, Graham.) 



The Pelu of Chili and Patagonia. A small tree with exceedingly 

 hard and durable wood, much used for cog-wheels and similar 

 structures. The wood differs much from that of S. Tomairo of 

 the Easter Island (Dr. Philippi). 



Spartina cynosuroides, Willdenow. 



Eastern part of North America. A perennial grass of fresh-water 

 swamps, there often called Prairie Grass ; it can be utilised for 

 fodder, and its value as paper, material seems equal to that of 

 Esparto. Emits shoots copiously, hence is recommended by Bouche, 

 also for binding maritime driftsands, it covering the ground 

 densely with its persistent rigid foliage. 



Spartina juncea, Willdenow. 



Salt marshes of North America. A grass with creeping roots ; it 

 can be utilised to bind moist sand on the coast. A tough fibre can 

 readily be obtained from the leaves. S. polystachya (Willd.) is a 

 stately grass, adapted for saline soil ; it is also a North American 

 grass. 



Spartina stricta, Roth. 



Countries on the Mediterranean Sea, extending to Britain and also 

 to North America. The Twin-spiked Cord-Grass. A rigid 

 perennial with creeping roots, recommended for fixing and render- 

 ing solid any mud flats on low shores and at the mouths of rivers ; 

 only suitable for brackish ground. 



Spartium junceum, Linne. 



Countries around the Mediterranean Sea. The flowers of this bush 

 provide a yellow dye. A textile fibre can be separated from the 

 branches. 



Spergula arvensis, Linne. 



All Europe, North Africa, West Asia. This annual herb, though 

 easily becoming a troublesome weed, is here mentioned for the 

 desirable completeness of this enumeration. The tall variety with 

 large seeds (S. maxima, Weihe) can be chosen with advantage for 

 the commencement of tillage on any sandy soil too poor for barley. 

 It takes up the land only for about two months, if grown for green 

 fodder, and increases much the yield of milk. It serves also for 

 admixture to hay (Langethal). It is one of the earliest of fodder- 

 plants, and imparts a particularly pleasant taste to butter. 



Spigelia Marylandica, Linne. 



The Pinkroot of North America, north to Pennsylvania and Wis- 

 consin. A perennial handsome herb, requiring as a vermifuge 



