38 
the fibres for combing, in three or gu days. The process is said by 
Rosier to be also performed with the Cytisus scoparius; though, 
according to Desfontaines, this is doubtfal: In Languedoc sheep aml 
gosts are fed with the branches of Spor tium ite during winter, 
t because it is an excellent fodder, but because there is a general 
resonate of forage at that season. ” Bot h si Spain and France, the 
ond of t 
eeds are eaten with great avidity ete poultry; pe etc &e. Medi- 
cinally, the flowers and leaves, in infusion, act as an emetic, or ina 
oe aa quantity, as an aperient.’ 
e Paper Makers’ Bony tee ae p. 414, it is stated 
that saith fibre “is stro nd has the advantage 
‘that ropes made Weeks om ee. pikon inns when exposed to 
“moisture . Besides the fibre, the refuse or woody part can be 
= pen for making cellulose that is adapted, owing to its strong texture, 
“ for the manufacture of strong paper.” An inventor in the United 
States “(quoted gni recommends the aiar treatment for 
extracting genista fibre 
“The plants are, preferably in small bunches, placed in a tank or 
vessel filled with water, which is raised to a bo iling heat. To this 
water is added, either before or Turin the boiling, RER in proportion of 
about 30 to 60 anen o 800 pounds of the plants. The lye may be 
added to the water as ae already prepared, or oauiile alkaline earths, 
in combination with carbonates of alkalies, may be employed, which 
form the poet in the water containing the plan ts. Carbonate of lime and 
carbonate of soda, in proportion of about 30 to 40 pounds of lime and 8 to 
12 sanda of soda for 800 pounds of plants, are preferably employed. In 
the iye the plants are boiled for a five or six hours, after which 
they are left to cool, and are then removed from the tank or boiler. 
The plants are then ready to adeno the same ga es as flax and 
i ik ; 
subsequently employed for spinning, weaving, making cordage, yarn, 
and for other „purposes to be used in place of hemp, flax, jute, or 
similar p'ants. 
n a recent number of the Revue des Sciences Naturelles Appliquées 
(5 April 1891) a short noe appeared respecting the use of the fibre 
sip Broom amongst the ae in the neighbourhood of Lodéve, 
the remote Eiei in the mountains of Languedoc. The 
follow hig correspondence shows that the industry at the present day is 
greatly reduced in some places, whilst in others it has become qtite 
extinct. 
The efforts made by Kew to obtain specimens of articles made from 
See oe nish Broom for the Museums of Economic Botany are also 
£ 
ROYAL GARDENS, KEW, to FOREIGN OFFICE. 
SIR, Royal Gardens, Kew, 24 April 1891. 
I AM — by Mr. Pidseltgn-Dyt to enclose, for the informa- 
tion of the Secretary of State, an extract from the Revue des Sciences 
Naturelles pr acters April 1891, p. 555, on the subject of a fibre 
obtained from Spartium (Genista) junceum, L. 
. This fibre, although said to be used o eon continent, is not so far 
represented i in our collections in the Aan ms of Economic Botany at 
Kew. Mr. Thiselton-Dyer would artir esteem it a favour, if the 
