DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



207 



Matting. — J. effusus is tlie Bingo-i mat rush of Japan, employed in the manufacture 

 of the " Tatami-omote," or the handsomest and most costly mats used by the higher 

 classes, while Cyperus loiitans is employed for the cheaper grades used by the com- 

 mon people. The pith of the Bingo-i rush is also extensively used for lamp wicks. 



Cultivation. — The soil best suited for growing Bingo-i is of a clayey character 

 containing a small proportion of gravel and resting upon a rather hard subsoil. The 

 plants, from the stubble cut in the previous summer, are rooted out and dipped in a 

 diluto urine for twenty-four hours, and then divided into bundles of about ten such 

 shoots, which are transplanted in well-prepared and manured land, in the same man- 

 ner as rice plants are transplanted in the paddy 

 field. The distance from one bundle of the plants 

 transplanted to another is about 4 sun — that is 

 to say, a bundle of ten plants occupies 4 sun 

 square of ground. The transplanting usually 

 takes place in the month of October or Novem- 

 ber, but in the warmer districts it may be as late 

 as the beginning of January. After the trans- 

 plantation the land is constantly watered as in 

 rice fields and ordures and well-rotted farmyard 

 manures are applied several times at due inter- 

 vals, especially taking care to keep the land free 

 from weeds. 



In the middle of July when fine, settled weather 

 is anticipated the rushes are harvested by reaping 

 them with a sharp sickle, and they are immedi- 

 ately immersed in muddy water specially prepared 

 in a small pond, by stirring in white clay, and 

 then dried by spreading on grass land. The object 

 of dipping the rushes into turbid water is to facil- 

 itate the drying by the effect of the adhering clay, 

 and at the same time to protect "Bingo-i" from 

 other noxious dusts. The most important point 

 in harvesting Bingo-i is to pay great attention to 

 the condition of the weather, for it is necessary 

 in obtaining a superior quality to dry the reaped 

 rushes as quickly as possible, not exceeding more 

 than two days, otherwise they depreciate greatly 

 in quality and value. 



The largest importer of these mats is the United 

 States, England, Austria, and Germany following 

 in the order named. The qualities made are named 

 as follows : Kinkwanyen, manufactured at Oka- 

 yama. First quality Aya-mushiro, second quality 



Aya-mushiro, Damask Aya-mushiro, common Aya-mu&hiro, manufactured at Bittiu. 

 First quality Somewake-mushiro, common .Somewake-mushiro, Damask Hana- 

 mushiro, common Hana-mushiro, manufactured at Bingo. Ordinary Hana-mushiro 

 (best quality) manufactured at Chikugo. 



Juncus pauciflorus. The Sheathed Bush. 



Syn. Juncus vaginatus. 



Quite common in Victoria^ where there are two forms. "One variety does not 

 exceed 2 feet, while the other often attains a height of 5 feet." (Christy.) 



Structural Fiber. — Two specimens from this rush were received from the Vic- 

 torian collection, and are among the many fibers collected and prepared by Dr. 

 Guilfoyle. The plant is a native of Victoria and grows abundantly. It is regarded 

 as a good fiber plant as well as an excellent paper stock, and the fiber is said to 



Fig. 72.— Juncus conglomeratus. 



