102 



SELECT PLANTS READILY ELIGIBLE 



Heleocharis tuberosa, Eoemer and Schultes. 



China, where it is called Matai or Petsi. This rush can be 

 subjected to regular cultivation in ponds for the sake of its 

 edible wholesome tubers. H. plantaginea and H. fistulosa of 

 India and our o^ti native H. sphacelata are allied plants. 



Helianthus annuus, Linne.* 



The Sunflower. Peru. This tall showy and large-flowered 

 annual is not without industrial importance. As much as 

 fifty bushels of seeds, or rather seed-like nutlets, have been 

 obtained from an acre under very favourable circumstances, 

 and as much as fifty gallons of oil can be pressed from such a 

 crop. The latter can be used not only for machinery, but 

 even as one of the best for the table. Otherwise the seeds 

 afibrd an excellent fodder for fowl. The stalks furnish a 

 good textile fibre and the blossoms yield a brilliant lasting 

 yellow dye. About six poimds of seeds are required for an 

 acre. The plant likes calcareous soil. Several allied North 

 American species deserve perhaps rural culture. The return 

 from a Sunflower-field is attained \\T.thin a few months. 



Helianthus tuberosus, Linne. 



Brazil. Sunflower Artichoke. Inappropriately passing under 

 the name Jerusalem Artichoke. The tubers are saccharine 

 and serve culinary purposes. As fodder, they increase the 

 milk of cows to an extraordinary degree. The foliage serves 

 also well as fodder. The plant is propagated from the 

 smallest but undivided tubers, placed like j)otatoes, but at 

 greater interstices. The root is not susceptible to frost. The 

 plant Avould be valuable for our alps. The yield is as large 

 as that of potatoes, with less labour, and continues from year 

 to year in fairly-treated land, uninterruptedly and spon- 

 taneously. The stem is rich in textile fibre. The percentage 

 of crystalline sugar is largest during the cold season, namely 

 5-6/100. During the summer the starch-like Inuliii prevails. 

 This plant can only be brought to full perfection in a soil 

 rich in potash. 



Helicbrysum lucidum, Henckel. {H. hracteatum^ Will- 

 denow.) 



Throughout the gi-eater part of Australia. The regular 

 cultivation of this perennial herb would be remunerative 

 to supply its everlasting flowers for wreaths, just like those 

 of H. orientale, Tournefort, from Candia, are largely gi'own 

 and sold in South Europe to provide grave-wreaths. 

 Furthermore, the lovely Helipterum Manglesii, F. v. M., 

 from West Australia, could for like purposes be profitably 

 reared on a large scale with several other Australian 



