PI-INTS BEADJLY ELIGIBLE
Agaves, such as A Mexicana fnv • i +Î,
which is adapted for 3 s : 3 " ’“ "*'’™«. Kta-ábre/,
fabrics. The strength of rmes of 3 fib textile
greater than that of hemp rones as wpII ' considerably
The leaves contain Saponin The san
alcohol, and thus the “ Pulque” bpvpr?"" converted into
the young flower-stems. Where space^ and ^-om
admit of it, impenetrable hedges m a fb e r ^ t d T n T ^ "
of some years from Agaves. course
^ ® 3 c I i S ! ^ ' 'T 3 r T l Karwinsky.)
rans furnishing th r a s a l-h t3 ’'’Vrs'’ p 3 n f S e o t 3 d
hbrf 3 g “ h i 3 r r é t r i ' c , rh^
quality. The yield of 3 b " ? and
Wts ¿ h a If7 “ X J ^ ^ ~ e i A " ™
from flowering bv cutHnor a wo’ . ® prevented
young. The leaves are from two^tÍ s i x T e f f ^ ^
SIX inches wide; the flower-stern artU Ï
five feet, the panicle of flowers about twentyin
abundance bulb-like buds AtL ei^ht feet long, bearing
all fibre-yieldm" a r f l auHlI A'®*’ “I’®™" °f ^ « 3
X Parji A r a n t ) ,A 3 T e f S ’r p ^ ^
(Engelmann), from South Arizona, up to an eîe’vattn !m 0O
Agrostis alba, Linné.
s id d fo ^ v ^ T if S r X a “ 'I showing a predilection for moisture • can T ” ““' Perennial,
soil. I t is the Herd-grass of tl?p IT -A Y f™ ®“ P®“*"
valuable as an admixture to m« States. I t is
comes available at the season whenLme of tfmm fSl
regards it as a pasture-grass inferior to e Í+ Sinclair
Dactylis glomerata, hut superior to P^^*®^^sis and
The variety with long suckers (A stolmUA
for sandy pastures, and helps to bind adapted
coast, or W e n soil o f i t e í b a n k s
for moisture, and luxuriates pvptt ' ^ predilection
periodically inundated places aswell o b ? rin' ''''
I t IS more a grass for cattle-country thanTor sh^
but wherever it is to grow the soU L s t be ¿ e n e S T e J S
FOR VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE. 11
turf on coast-meadows is particularly dense and of remarkable
fineness. For sowing only one-sixth of the weight of the
seeds as compared with those of the Eye-grass is needed.
Agrostis rubra, Linné. (^ . borealis, Hartmann).
Northern Europe, Asia, and America. A perennial grass
called Eed-top, and also Herd-grass in the United States of
North America. Mr. Meehan places it for pastoral value
among grasses cultivated there next after Phleum pratense
and Poa pratensis (the latter there called Blue-grass), and
before Dactylis glomerata (the Orchard-grass of the United
States).
Agrostis scabra, Willdenow.^
The Hair-grass of North America. Eecently recommended
as one of the best lawn-grasses, forming a dense turf. I t
will grow even on poor gravelly soil, and endure drought as
well as extreme cold. Its fine roots and suckers spread
rapidly, forming soon dense matted sods (according to Dr.
Channing). I t starts into new growth immediately after
being cut; is for its sweetness picked by pasture animals
preferentially; has proved one of the best grasses for dairy
ground ; and suppresses weeds like Hordeum secalinum. One
bushel of seed to an acre is used for pasture-land, two bushels
for lawns.
Agrostis vulgaris. Withering.
Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia, North America. One ot
the perennial grasses which disseminate themselves with
celerity, even over the worst of sandy soils. Though not a
tall grass, it may be destined to contribute perhaps with Aira
canescens and others largely to the grazing capabilities of the
Australian desert lands; yet it will thrive also even in moist
soil and alpine regions, and is essentially a grass for sheep-
country.
Ailantus glandulosa, Linné. ^ ^
South-Eastern Asia. A hardy deciduous tree, sixty ieet high,
of rather rapid growth, and of very imposing aspect in any
landscape. Particularly valuable on account of its leaves,
which afford food to a silkworm (Bombyx Cynthia), peculiar
to this tree; wood extremely durable, pale yellow, of silky
lustre when planed, and therefore valuable for joiners’ work.
In South Europe planted for avenues. Valuable also for
reclaiming coast-sands.
Aira cæspitosa, Linné.
Widely dispersed over the globe. A fodder-grass, to be
utilised for moist meadows.