FOR VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE. 



Betula alba, Linne.* 



The ordinary Birch of Europe and extratropical Asia. It 

 attains a height of 80 feet, and would here thrive best in 

 moist glens of the ranges, or in the higher regions of our 

 mountains, where it would form up at the Alpine zone 

 excellent shelter plantations. The durable bark serves for 

 roofing. Wood white, turning red. The oil of the bark is 

 used in preparing the Russian leather. 



Betula lenta, Willdenow. 



The Cherry Birch of North America. A tree of middle size, 

 liking moist ground. Bark aromatic. Wood rose-coloured 

 or dark, fine-grained, excellent for furniture. Several Bii'ches 

 occur in J apan, which might well be tried here. 



Betula lutea, MicLaux. 



The yellow or grey Birch of North-East America. Adapted 

 for moist forest land. In size and most other respects similar 

 to B. lenta. 



Betula nigra, Linne. 



The River Birch of North America. One of the tallest of 

 Bii'ches. If gro^\Ti on the banks of a limpid stream, 

 it will bear intense heat. The wood is compact, of a light 

 colour. 



Betula papyracea, Alton. 



The Paper Birch of North America. A larger tree than B. 

 alba, with a fine-grained wood and a tough bark; much used 

 for portable canoes. It likes a cold situation. 



Boehmeria nivea, Gaudichaud.* 



The Ramee or Rheea. Southern Asia, as far east as Japan. 

 This bush furnishes the strong and beautiful fibre woven 

 into fabric, which inappropriately is called grass-cloth. 

 The bark is softened by hot water or steam, and then 

 separable into its tender fibres. The best is obtained from 

 the young shoots ; it is glossy, tough and lasting, combining 

 to some extent the appearance of silk with the strength of 

 flax. The ordinary market value of the fibre is about £40 

 per ton; but Dr. Royle mentions that it has realized, at 

 times, £120. The seeds are sown on manured or otherwise 

 rich and friable soil. In the third year, or under very 

 favourable circumstances even earlier, it yields its crops, as 

 many as three annually. The produce of an acre has been 

 estimated at two tons of fibre. This latter, since Kaempfer's 

 time, has been known to be extensively used for ropes and 

 cordage in Japan. Our rich and warmest forest-valleys 

 seem best adapted for the Ramee, as occasional irrigation can 

 be also there applied. In the open grounds of Victoria it 



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