A MANUAL OF BOTANY 



43 



samples under each of the following uses : (a) for food ; 

 (b) for medicine ; (c) for drink ; (cl) for clothing ; (e) for 

 ropes and cordage; (/) for dyes; (g) for flavoring. 



Namk 



WllEKK NaTIVK 



Part of Leaf 

 Used 



PROUUrr, IK MANirFACTCRED, 



i>R Crude Use 



2. Obtain leaves of century plant or other agaves ; pound 

 with a heavy club on a very firm wooden block ; wash away 

 all the debris ; continue until you have a bunch of fibers. 

 The original way of preparing fiber for weaving or cordage 

 making. Sisal, used in harvesting, is an agave. What 

 other leaf fibers are noted ? 



3. Steep finely divided green tobacco, rose i)etals, and 

 horehound, catmint, plantain, or onion (all fall leaf forms) in 

 50% alcohol for one week in tightly closed bottles. Press 

 the leaf masses dry and study resulting liquids for color, 

 odor, and taste. You have made medicinal preparations. 

 By following rules of weight and amount of li(|uid you 

 would have known strengths of drugs. 



4. Crush celery, lettuce, cabbage, beet, spinach, rhubarb, 

 kale, chard, dandelions, endive, or other leaf vegetables, and 

 after mixing with water, test for sugar, starch, etc. 



5. Dry quickly vigorous plants of red, white, and alsike 

 clover, alfalfa, various kinds of grasses, corn leaves, and 

 young pea vines. What relation has greenness to rapidity 

 of drying? How has the odor been affected? You have 

 " made hay." What are the elements that bring success in 

 haymaking? Try dipping some of your half-dry hay in 

 water until soaked, then continue drying. I f possible, obtain 

 or grow a stalk of tobacco. Hang up to dry in a dark, well- 



