DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 59 



1891, p. 251; Spon. Enc, pt. 3, p. 917; Die. Ec. Prod. Ind., Vol. I, p. 236; Royle, 

 Fib. PI. of Ind., p. 38. 



* Specimens. — Fiber, U. S. Nat. Mus. ; Mus. U. S. Dept. Ag. ; Field Col, Mus. ; clotb, 

 Bot. Mus. Harv. Univ. 



Ananas bracteatus. 



Syn. Bromelia sagenaria. 

 A South American species, from which a good fiber has been extracted, called Gra- 

 ivaiha by Savorgnan ; though Bernardin states that Grawatha is Bromelia medicalis. 



Ancient fibers. See Introduction. 



Andromachia igniaria. See Liabam igniarium. 



Andropogon gryllus. See Chrysopogon. 



Andropogon schcenanthus. Rusa or Ginger Grass of India. 



This species yields an oil which is used in European Turkey to adulterate attar of 

 roses. It abounds in tropical and subtropical Asia and Africa. 



Structural Fiber.— Specimens of this grass are preserved in the Mus. U. S. 

 Dept. Ag. It is described in India as a tall grass, too coarse to stack, but used for 

 thatching and for screens. 



Andropogon sorghum vulgaris. Broom Corn. 



Endogen. Graminece,. A giaut grass. 



Cultivated in many parts of the world. Andropogon sorghum includes many varie- 

 ties, a number of which have been recognized by some authors as distinct botanical 

 species under the genus Sorghum; others, including Hackel, have referred them all 

 to the genus Andropogon. The same name has been applied to different varieties, 

 and the same variety has often been designated under various names. All the forms 

 are of Eastern origin, and have arisen probably from a common stock through ages 

 of cultivation. From varieties of this species are obtained grain, which furnishes 

 nutritious food for man and domestic animals, particularly poultry; sirup and sugar 

 in commercial quantities are obtained from the saccharine varieties. The variety 

 saccharatus, or Chinese sugar grass, yields about 13 per cent of sugar, and all furnish 

 fodder of more or less value for farm stock. In Africa alcoholic drinks are prepared 

 from the grains, and useful coloring pigments are contained in the fruiting glumes. 



While this is not, strickly speaking, a fiber plant, it yields a brush material and is 

 therefore included in this list. The statements which follow are extracted from Cir- 

 cular No. 28, Office of Experiment Stations, United States Department Agriculture: 



Broom corn, as is well known, resembles sorghum in appearance, both plants being 

 varieties of the same species. Broom corn usually grows 8 to 12 feet high, though 

 the dwarf variety attains only half that height. The chief economic difference 

 between broom corn and other varieties of sorghum consists in the greater length, 

 strength, and straightness of the fine stems composing the head, or panicle, and sup- 

 porting the seeds. The longer, straighter, and tougher these stems or straws and 

 the greener their color after curing, the higher the price the product commands. 

 The different varieties of broom corn afford dissimlar products. The dwarf variety 

 produces the short brush used in the manufacture of small brooms and whisks. It 

 is somewhat difficult to harvest and is cultivated only to a limited extent. Of the 

 large varieties the Evergreen, known also as the Missouri or Tennessee Evergreen, 

 has given general satisfaction. The Mohawk is regarded as earlier, but as affording 

 a smaller yield. There is some advantage- in planting more than one variety and at 

 several different dates so as to extend through a long season the time of harvesting. 



Culture. — A climate suitable for Indian corn is also adapted to the growth of the 

 broom-corn plant. Dry weather at harvesting time is a favorable climatic condi- 

 tion. A well-drained, rich, sandy or gravelly loam soil such as will produce a heavy 



