16 SELECT PLANTS FOK INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



as extreme cold. Its fine roots and suckers spread rapidly, 

 forming soon dense matted sods (according to Dr. Channing) . 

 It starts into new growth immediately after being cut, is for 

 its sweetness picked by pasture animals preferentially, has 

 proved one of the best grasses for dairy ground, and sup- 

 presses weeds like Hordeum secalinum. One bushel' of .'seed to 

 an acre is used for pasture-land ; two bushels suffice for lawns. 



Agrostis Solandri, P. v. Mueller. 



Ejctra-tropical Australia and New Zealand. Produces a large 

 quantity of sweet fodder in damp localities (Bailey) . 



Agrostis vulgaris, Withering. 



Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia, North America. One of 

 the perennial grasses, which disseminate thernselves with 

 celerity, even over the worst of sandy soils. Though not a 

 tall grass, it may be destined to contribute perhaps with Aira 

 canescens and others largely to the grazing capabilities of 

 desert lands ; yet it wiU thrive also even in moist soil and 

 Alpine regions, and is essentially a grass for sheep-country. 



Ailantus glandnlosa, Linne. 



South East Asia. A hardy, deciduous tree, 60 feet high, of 

 rather rapid growth and of very imposing aspect in any land- 

 scape. Particularly valuable on account of its leaves, which 

 afford food to a silkworm {Bowhi/x Cynthia) "peculiar to this 

 tree ; wood extremely durable, pale yellow, of silky lustre when 

 planed, and therefore valued for joiners' work ; it is tougher 

 than oak or elm, easily worked, and not liable to split or warp. 

 In South Europe planted for avenues. Eor this purpose 

 prevailingly staminate trees are not eligible on account of the 

 strong odour of the flowers. Valuable also for reclaiming coast- 

 sands, and to this end easily propagated by suckers and frag- 

 ments of roots according to Professor Sargent. The growth 

 of the tree is quick even in poor soil, but more so in somewhat 

 calcareous bottoms. Thrives on chalk (Vasey). Professor 

 Meehan states that it interposes the spread of the rosebuo-, 

 to which the tree is destructive. 



Aira csespitosa, Linne. 



Widely dispersed over the globe. A rough fodder grass, best 

 utilised for laying dry any moist meadows. 



Albizzia bigemina, F. v. Mueller. [PithecoloUum Ugeminum, 

 Martins.) 



India, up to Sikkim and Nepal, ascending in Ceylon to 4,000 



