56i 



Seeds of this plant were received from Uganda, 

 Entebbe Gardens ; at the end of March, they germinated 

 and a number were planted out in good light soil in the 

 nursery. They had by October attained a height of 

 over five feet and commenced flowering. 



The stems are straight and unbranched, an 

 important matter in cultivation for fibre. They are 

 about a quarter of an inch through and bear numerous 

 narrow lanceolate leaves. The flowers are borne in 

 bunches near the top of the stem, and are white with a 

 grey violet crown (corona) of the reproductive organs in 

 the centre. It seems clear that the plant would do well 

 in this region where jute is a failure and many of the 

 other plants which also produce a good fibre have the 

 awkward habit of branching low down and making a 

 bush rather than a tall easily stripped stem with long 

 fibre. This habit is the most objectionable character in 

 such plants as Perpulut (Urena lobata) and the Sidas and 

 other mallows, the fibres of which are excellent but too 

 short, and difficult to strip owing to the branching of 

 the plant. The Gomphocarpus, however, is free from 

 this defect. 



The plant appears not to be cultivated anywhere in 

 Africa but is used occasionally for twine. 



Fibre was sent from Uganda by Mr. White and was 

 valued at £35 a ton, a very good price. The fibre from 

 the bark of plants grown in the Botanic Gardens, 

 Singapore, seems to be very strong and fine. Its colour 

 and length, when well-grown, leave nothing to be desired. 

 Cultivation of this plant would present no difficulty if 

 sufficient seed was procurable. It merely requires to be 

 sown in good open soil and should be ready for cutting 

 in about six months. The plant seems well worth the 

 attention of those interested in fibres. — Ed. 



TACKINESS IN RUBBER. 



In " Le Caoutchouc et Gutta percha " for September 

 15, p 3216., M. Gabriel Bertrand gives an article on 

 the tackiness of the different kinds of rubbers, for which 



