266 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



Macadamialternifolia, F. v. Mueller. 



The Nut-tree of sub-tropical Eastern Australia, attaining a 

 heigth of 60 feet ; hardy as far south as Melbourne ; in forest- 

 valleys probably of fair celerity of growth ; endures slight frost. 

 In favorable localities it bears fruit in seven years. The nuts have 

 the taste of hazels. Thrives well at 5,000 feet elevation in Java 

 [Dr. Treub]. 



Machilus odoratissima, Nees. 



The " Soom-tree." From the Himalayas to Assam, Cochin- 

 China, Burmah, Java and Sumatra, ascending to the cool elevation 

 of 8,000 feet. A tree of considerable size. The Muga-Silkworm 

 feeds on the foliage [Gamble]. The leaves are pervaded by an 

 orange-scent [Brandis]. 



Madura aurantiaca, Nuttall.* 



The Osage-Orange, or North- American Bow-Wood, or Yellow 

 Wood. Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana. This thorny deciduous shrub 

 or tree can be well trained into hedges. It is unisexual, and will 

 in favorable localities on rich river-banks attain a height of 60 feet, 

 with a stem two to three feet thick, thus becoming available as a 

 timber-tree. It resists severe frosts. Rate of stem-growth in 

 Nebraska about 1 inch a year circumferentially [Furnas]. The 

 saplings furnish stakes for vines, which are very lasting. The 

 elastic wood serves well for bows, buggy-shafts, carriage-poles and 

 similar articles. It is one of the most durable of all North- 

 American woods, also valuable for all purposes, where toughness 

 and elasticity are required [Dr. C. Mohr]. The plant is not 

 readily subject to blight or attacks of insects. It produces from 

 the root a yellow dye. Mrs. Timbrell, at the suggestion of the 

 author, has here shown, that the foliage is as good a food for silk- 

 worms as that of the white mulberry, and the silk produced in no- 

 way inferior to ordinary silk. Leaves not too succulent are pre- 

 ferable. [Cf. also Riley, publications of the United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture 1877]. 



Maclura excelsa, Flanchon. 



West-Africa, on mountains up to 3,000 feet elevation. Height 

 of tree often 150 feet. The wood is remarkably durable and tough T 

 beautifully dark-brown and streaked. Birds feed on the fruit. 



Madura Mora, Grisebach. 



North- Argentina. A high tree. Wood greatly esteemed for its 

 density and toughness ; fruit edible [Dr. LorentzJ. 



