1880. ] 
SENECIO SPECIOSUS. 
99 
since it would thus not only retain the warmth 
of the soil, but to the extent of the protection 
rendered, would also ward off the attacks of 
frost. In either case, when the object for 
which it had been used was accomplished, it 
could be beneficially worked into the soil. 
This refuse material is now to be had at a 
very reasonable price in many parts of London, 
and no doubt in other places where the pre¬ 
paration of the fibre is carried on ; but one of the 
cleanest samples which has recently come under 
our notice has been obtained from Messrs. Chubb, 
Round, and Co., of Millwall, at whose Fibre 
Works it is prepared on a very extensive scale. 
The conversion of so-called waste materials to 
utilitarian purposes is one of the features of 
the present age; and in turning this “ refuse ” 
to account, the horticulturist is aiding in 
the good work of gathering up the fragments, 
so that nothing may be lost.—T. Moore. 
SENECIO 
S HIS pretty South-African plant is not 
new to our gardens, but newly intro¬ 
duced. It is recorded as having been 
in cultivation towards the close of the last 
centurjq and figures of it from garden plants 
were published by Andrews in 1806 (as S. 
pseudo-china ), by Ker in 1816, and again by 
Loddiges in 1826, both the latter under its 
correct name of S. speciosus. It appears to 
SPEOIOSUS. 
have been subsequently lost or elbowed out of 
cultivation by newer favourites, until reintro¬ 
duced two or three years since by Mr. W. Bull, 
when it was first identified with its South- 
African ally, S. concolor , but subsequently re¬ 
ceived its correct name, S. speciosus , its con¬ 
fused synonymy and history having been cleared 
up in the Gardeners Chronicle (1879, p. 616) 
by Mr. Brown, of Kew. In South Africa it has 
H 2 
