58 



SELECT PLANTS READILY ELIGIBLE 



largely used for rice- and cotton-bags, carpets and other 

 similar textile fabrics, and also for ropes. About 60,000 

 tons are annually exported from India to England, and a 

 large quantity also to the United States. Jute is sown on 

 good land, well ploughed and drained, but requires no irri- 

 gation, although it likes humidity. The crop is obtained in 

 the course of four or five months, and is ripe when the 

 flowers turn into fruit capsules. Good paper is made from 

 the refuse of the fibre. 



Corchorus olitorius, Linne.* 



South Asia and North Australia, Furnishes, with the fore- 

 going species, the principal supply of Jute-fibre. As it also 

 is an annual, it can be brought to perfection in our summei^. 

 The foliage can be used for spinage. The fibre is not so 

 strong as hemp, but very easily prepared. It will not endure 

 exposure to water. The allied Corchorus trilocularis, L., of 

 Indian origin, is likewise a native of eastern tropical and 

 subtropical Australia. 



Cordyline Banksii, J. Hooker. 



New Zealand. This lax and long-leaved Palm-lily attains a 

 height of 10 feet; its stem is usually undivided. This and 

 the following species have been admitted into this list for a 

 double reason, because not only are they by far the hardiest, 

 quickest growing and largest of the genus, and thus most 

 sought in horticultural trade for scenic planting; but also 

 because they furnish from the leaves a superior fibre for ropes 

 and other purposes. The small seeds are produced in great 

 abmidance, and germinate with extreme readiness. These 

 Palm-lilies ought to be naturalised in oui' ranges by mere 

 dissemination. 



Cordyline Baueri, J. Hooker. {C. Australis, Endlicher, not 

 J. Hooker.) 



Norfolk Island. The stem of this stately species attains a 

 height of 40 feet, and becomes in age ramified. It is very 

 intimately allied to the following : — 



Cordyline Forsteri, F. v. Mueller. {C. Australis, J. Hooker, 

 not Endlicher.) 



New Zealand. The stem of this noble thin-leaved plant 

 attains a height of 40 feet, and is branched. Aged leaves 

 readily separable; berries, blue. 



Cordyline indivisa, Kunth. 



New Zealand. The stem of this thick and rigid-leaved 

 palm-like species rises to a height of 20 feet, and remains 

 imdivided. Leaves finally five inches broad; yield the Toi- 

 fibre. Aged leaves persistent in a perfectly downward 

 position for many years. Panicle at first erect. Berries, white. 



