FIBRE PLANTS 327 



The fibre becomes brittle if the nuts are allowed 

 to ripen. It is used for leaf mold in greenhouses 

 and conservatories. 



. RAFFIA 



The long, thin strips of strong, tying material 

 that hang in greenhouses and packing sheds of 

 nurseries are obtained by skinning the leaves 

 of a palm tree that grows abundantly in the 

 wilds of Madagascar and Brazil. The "Arts and 

 Crafts" people discovered its usefulness in bas- 

 ketry, weaving, and other fancy work. Milliners 

 made it into hats. The increased demand has 

 doubled the price. It can be bought in a variety 

 of colors. The uses are not yet extensive enough 

 greatly to increase the present demand. 



BROOM CORN 



Three varieties of sorghum are important: two 

 as food plants, and the third furnishes the house- 

 wife with brooms. Kafir corn feeds stock and 

 poultry in this country: it feeds both man and 

 beast in Africa, India, and China? Sorghum 

 molasses replaces sugar to a considerable extent. 

 In our country to-day, it is a feeble competitor 

 of sugar-cane and beets. 



