64 USEFUL FIBER PLANTS OF THE WORLD. 



In the Russian exhibit at the Columbian Exhibition of 1893 was shown a beautiful 

 example of Ajpocynum liber, about 2.1 feet in length, and dark salmon in color, which 

 it was claimed is used commercially in Russia to a limited extent. Bernardin 

 places A. cannabinum in his list as produced in Virginia, and states that the fiber ia 

 adapted to cordage and fabrics. "A. canadense" the same author designates as 

 "Canadian hemp." 



There are several foreign species, as A. syriacum (Spon'sEnc), A. venetum, etc., which 

 abound in southern Siberia, Turkestan, Transcaucasus, and on the Adriatic, and 

 that produce fiber employed for cordage, fishing nets, lines, and other uses. Spun 

 states that in some districts where the fiber is more carefully prepared it is manu- 

 factured into textiles. "It is sejmratecl by a short retting, is strong and elastic, 

 easily divisible, bleaches and dyes well, and has a length of 6 to 12 feet." A. venetum 

 is difficult of extraction. A. androscemifolium probably affords as good a liber as A. 

 cannabinum. but is not so available on account of the more spreading or branching 

 habit of the plant. 



* Specimens of A. cannabinum. — U. S. Nat. Mus. ; Field Col. Mus.; and Mns. U. S. 

 Dept. Ag. 



Aralia papyrifera. Bice Paper Plant. See Fatsia pap yr if era. 



Araticu cortica (Braz.). See Anona. 



Arbol del Pan (Peru). Artocarpus incisa. 



Arcidiavolo (It.)- Celtis australis. 



Araujia sericifera. 



An asclepiadaceous plant of Brazil growing in uncultivated fields, blooming in 

 the winter months. It is known as Paina de campo, and also Cipo Sapo. Lofgren 

 states that it is found in Sao Paulo, where its cotton is used in the same manner as 

 that from species of Bombax. 



Arctium lappa. The Common Burdock. 



Exogen. Composite?. Coarse herb. 



This familiar plant and troublesome weed, which is said to be of no utility in the 

 vegetable economy, was several years ago the subject of experiment by Mr. W. W. 

 Ball, of Lasalle, 111., who hoped to produce at low cost a fiber material suitable for 

 binding twine. It was claimed that the plants could be produced in quantity in 

 new or waste land, and could be cut, crushed with a cane mill, and the bast steeped 

 in pools of water at small cost, the fiber to be stripped by children, and a lengthy 

 correspondence followed. 



Fiber. — Upon examination of the many specimens of stalks and samples of the 

 "fiber," submitted both straight and in the form of "tow," the filaments were found 

 to be harsh and wiry, very brittle, and possessing little strength. A small sample, 

 extra treated, yellowish in color, very soft and pliant to the touch, and absolutely 

 worthless as to strength, it was suggested could be employed as paper stock, but the 

 entire series showed no possibilities in the textile economy. 



Fibrous plants of this class have no value in the industrial economy, the fibrous 

 material contained in their bast being loo inferior ever to be used in manufacture 

 where so many other better fibers are obtainable that may be produced possibly at 

 less cost. 



Specimens. — Field Col. Mus. ; Mus. U. S. 1 >ept. Ag. 



Arctium minus. 



This is a European species, but has been reported from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Brazil- 

 ian name, Carapicho do grande. 



