32 Select Plants for Industrial Cult-are and 



plants. Dr. Sibthorp lias identified this species with the Aloe of 

 Dioscorides ; thus it is also the real Aloe of Plinius ; hence it is 

 not probable, that A. vulgaris is also simultaneously of American 

 origin, although it is long cultivated in the Antilles, and furnishes 

 from thence the main supply of the Barbadoes-aloes, also Cura^oa- 

 aloes ; likewise in East-India this species seemingly only exists in 

 a cultivated state. Haworth found the leaves of this and of A. 

 striata softer and more succulent than those of any other aloe. It 

 is said to be the only species with yellow flowers among those early 

 known, and it is also the only one, which Professors Wilkomm and 

 Parlatore record as truly wild in Spain and Italy. 



Aloexylon Agallochum, Lomeiro 



Cochinchina, 011 the highest mountains. The precious aloe-wood, 

 so famed from antiquity for its balsamic fragrance and medicinal 

 properties is derived from this tree. 



Alopecurus bulbosus, Hudson. 



Middle- and South-Europe. An important rural grass for salt- 

 marshes. 



Alopecurus geniculatus, Linne. 



Europe, Asia, North- Africa. A perennial fodder-grass, valuable 

 for swampy ground ; easily naturalised. 



Alopecurus pratensis, Linne.* 



Meadow ''Fox-tail' 1 grass. Europe, Northern Africa, Northern 

 and Middle Asia. In Norway indigenous to lat. 69 IT' [Schue- 

 beler]. One of the best of perennial pasture-grasses. It reaches 

 its full perfection only after a few years of growth, as noticed by 

 Sinclair. For this reason it is not equal to Dactylis giomerata for 

 crop-rotation, but it is more nutritious than the latter, although 

 the annual return in Britain has proved less. Langethal places it 

 next to Timothy -grass for artificial pastures. Sheep thrive well on 

 it. Sinclair and others have found that this grass, when exclusively 

 combined with white clover, will support after the second season 

 five ewes and five lambs on an acre of sandy loam ; but to thrive 

 well it needs land not altogether dry. In all permanent artificial 

 pastures this Alopecurus should form one of the principal ingredi- 

 ents, because it is so lasting and so nutritive, and earlier in the 

 season than most other grasses. Can be grown also w T ith advantage 

 in orchards. It is likewise one of the best grasses for maritime or 

 alluvial tracts of country. In alpine regions it would also prove 

 prolific, and might gradually convert many places there into 

 summer-pastures. It does not altogether dislike shade, is early 

 flowering and likes the presence of lime in the soil. Yield of hay 

 on. good soil, according to Dr. Stebler, about 80 cwt. per acre 

 Schuebeler lauds particularly the variety nigricans. 



