230 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



subject, the plant is admitted into this work. In the United States 

 were 120 india-rubber factories in 1883, employing 15,000 people. 

 The total importation of raw material there during that year was 

 30,000 tons, worth about six million pounds [J. G. Baker]. In 

 East-Australia the plant thrives fairly well at least as far south as 

 the tropic of Capricorn [ J. S. Edgar] . 



Hibiscus cannabinus, Linne. (H. radiatus, Canvanilles.) 



Tropical Asia, Africa and Australia. An annual showy herb r 

 yielding the Ambari-Hemp. Stems to 12 feet high, without 

 ramification if closely sown. Rich soil on the Nile has yielded 

 over 3,000 Ibs. of clear fibre from one acre. The bearing strength 

 is often found to be more than that of the Sunn-fibre. The leaves 

 serve as sorrel- spinage. Several other Hibisci can be utilised in 

 the same manner, for instance the Indian H. tetraphyllus (Rox- 

 burgh). Good fibre is also obtained from Sida rhombif olia (Linne), 

 but this plant is apt to become in warm zones a most troublesome 

 weed. 



KibiSCUS elatUS, Swartz. (Paritium datum, G. Don). 



West-Indies, extending to Guiana. Grows to a tree of good size^ 

 It furnishes the Cuba-bast, much used for tying cigars. Hardy 

 in Natal, where it grew in six years to 23 feet [J. M. Wood]. 



Hibiscus esculentus, Linne. 



Tropical Africa. A tall herb. The unripe mucilaginous seed- 

 capsules are known as Ochro, Okra Bandakai or Gumbo, and used 

 as a culinary vegetable. The summers of Victoria bring them to 

 maturity. In Central- Australia it is also only a summer-plant. 

 The Ochro can be preserved by being dried either in the sun or by 

 artificial heat after previous slicing. The leaves of this and allied 

 species can be used as pot-herbs. The seeds retain their vitality 

 for about five years [Vilmorin]. In hot moist countries also 

 multiplied from cuttings, and there growing with amazing quick- 

 ness. Dr. A. Gibson pronounces the Ochro quite a safe food, even 

 when extensively consumed. 



Hibiscus Xiudwigli, Ecklon and Zeyher. 



South- Africa. A tall, shrubby and highly ornamental species, 

 desirable also as yielding a fibre of fair strength and toughness. 



Hibiscus Sabdariffa, Linne. 



Tropical Asia and Africa. The Oseille de Guinee. A showy 

 annual plant, occasionally of more than one year's duration, 

 admitting of culture in the warmer temperate regions ; it is how- 

 ever cut down by frost. It yields the Rosella-fibre. The acidulous 

 calyces furnish a delicious sorrel and rosella-jellies, particularly 

 relished in hot climes ; they serve also for pickles. An allied 



