FOR VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE. 



233 



samples of several grass-kinds were prepared by the writer 

 (vide ''Eeport, Industrial Exhibition, Melbourne, 1867"). 

 Even in the scorching heat and the arid sands of the Sahara 

 the Atocha maintains itself, and it may thus yet be destined 

 to play an important part in the introduced vegetation of any 

 arid places of oui' desert-tracts, particularly where lime and 

 gypsum exist. The very tenacious fibre resists decay, and is 

 much employed for the manufacture of ropes. During 1870 

 the import of Esparto-ropes into England was 18,500 tons, 

 while the raw material to the extent of about 130,000 tons 

 was imported. Extensive culture of this grass has com- 

 menced in the south of Erance. It is pulled once a year, in 

 the earlier part of the summer. The propagation can be 

 effected from seeds, but is done usually by division of the 

 root. Ten tons of dry Esparto, worth from X4 to £5 each, 

 can under favourable circumstances be obtained from an acre. 

 The supply has fallen short of the demand. Good writing- 

 paper is made from Esparto without admixture ; the process 

 is similar to that for rags, but cleaner. The price of Esparto- 

 paper ranges from £40 to £50 for the ton. Stipa arenaria 

 (Brot.) is a closely allied and still taller species, confined to 

 Spain and Portugal. Consul W. P. Mark deserves great 

 praise for having brought the Atocha into commercial and 

 manufactural recognition. 



Streblus asper, Loui-eiro. 



South Asia. This bears a good recommendation for live 

 fences, it being a shrub of remarkable closeness of branches. 



Styrax officinale, Linne. 



Countries on the Mediterranean Sea, A tall bush or small 

 tree. The fragrant solid Storax-resin exudes from this plant, 

 or is particularly obtained by pressure of the bark. 



Swietenia Maliagoni J l^mne. 



The Mahogany-tree of West India, extending naturally to 

 Elorida and Mexico. The degree of endui-ance of this famous 

 tree is not sufficiently ascertained. In its native mountains it 

 ascends to 3000 feet. 



Symphytum asperrimum, Sims.* 



The Prickly Comfrey. Caucasus. The growth of this hardy 

 plant may be recommended as an adjunct to Lupine-culture. 

 The Hon. Arthur Holroyd, of Sydney, has recently devoted 

 a special publication to this plant. He quotes on good 

 authority the retui'n of foliage already in the first year as 

 20 tons to the acre, in the second year 50 tons and every 

 year after 80 to 120 tons on manured land. It yields a 

 nutritive and relished forage in rapid and continuous repro- 

 duction. It is likewise recommended for gi-een manure. Dr. 



