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Select Plants fo r Industrial Culture and
B u c a ljr p tu s t r i a n t h a , Link.* (E. acmenoides, Sohauer.)
< New South Wales and Eastern Queensland. Known as White
Mahogany. I t attains a considerable height, with a stem reaching 4
feet iu diameter, and is of rapid growth. The wood is used in the
same way as th a t of E. obliqua, but is superior to it. I t is heavy,
strong, durable, of a light colour, and has been found good for palings,
rails, flooriiig-hoards, battens, and many other purposes of house-
carpentry [Rev. Dr. Woolls].
;
E u c a ly p t u s u r n ig e r a , J- Hooker.
Cooler region of Tasmania only. Seldom attaining a great height,
but in this work not to be passed, as it is one of the hardiest and
most antiseptic of all Eucalypts. Botanically to be regarded as a
highly developed state of E. cordata (La Biliardière), but hortieul-
turally very distinct. Professor Balfour observes, th a t a tree of this
species has stood thirty years in the open air a t Haddington (South
Scotland), attaining a height of 50 feet with a stem 8 feet in circumference
a t the base. Stood the severest winters in York and Devon,
when E. siderophloia, E. rostrata, E. rudis perished, and E . botryoides
froze to the ground, but subsequently sent np strong shoots again
[Dr. Masters]. Shelter against hard cold winds is iu these cases
imperative [Rev. D. Landsborough]. Grew in the south of New
Zealand to 20 feet in ten years [Th. Waugh].
E u c a ly p t u s v im in a lis , La Biliardière.
South-Eastern Australia. On poor soil only a moderate-sized tree,
with a dark rough bark on the trunk, and generally known as Manna-
Gumtree ; in rich soil of the mountain-forests it attains, however,
gigantic dimensions, rising to a height of rather more than 800 feet,
with a stem occasionally to 15 feet in diameter. I t has there a cream-
coloured smooth bark, and is locally known as White Gumtree. Hardy
a t Arran [Capt. Brown]. Much liked in the frosty regions of the
Transvaal [Edw. Tidmarsh]. The timber is light-coloured, clear,
and though not so strong and durable as that of many other kinds of
Eucalypts, is very frequently employed for shingles, fence-rails, and
ordinary building purposes. I t is stronger than th a t of E . amygdalina
and E. obliqua. Weight of a cubic foot of absolutely dry wood about
43 lbs., equivalent to specific gravity 0-685. The honey-station on
Mount Sturgeon depends chiefly on the flowers of E. viminalis, E.
rostrata, and E. obliqua for its bees, the honey annually produced
being about ten tons. Sheep will feed on the foliage, even where
grass exists. The fresh bark contains about 5 per cent, kino-tannin.
The only species, which yields the crumb-like melitose-manna
copiously. The wood of this, of E. globulus, E. melliodora, and
gome others is occasionally bored by the larvæ of a large moth, E u doxyla
Eucalypti, and also by two beetles, Phoracantha trieuspis and
Hapatesus hirtus [C. French]. The Phascolarctus, which lives exclusively
on Eucalyptus leaves, feeds w ith predilection on this species.
Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 211
partioularly the young foliage. For fuller original information on
Eucalypts consult partioularly Woolls’ “ Contribution to the Knowledge
of the Flora of Australia,” and his lectures on the “ Vegetable
Kingdom,” the volumes of the “ Bulletin de la Société d’Acclimatation
de France,” also the author’s “ Euoalyptographia decades I .-X .”
For extensive information ou the varied therapeutic properties of
Eucalypts, refer to an article, partly by the writer of this volume as
contained in the “ Sydney Medical Gazette of 1884,” embodying
also Professor Hosier’s researches. For physical and chemica
properties of many Eucalyptus-oils refer to an elaborate original essay
by Mr. Percy Wilkinson, in the “ Transactions of the Royal Society
of Victoria,” December, 1893.
B u c h læ n a M e x ic a n a , Schrader.* [E. Itixurians, Ascherson ; Reana luxu-
nans, Durieu ; R. Giovannini, Brignoli.)
The Teosinte. Southern Mexico and Guatemala, up to considerable
elevations. Annual. Highly commendable as a fodder-grass for
regions free of frost. A large number of stems, sometimes as many
as 90, spring from the same root, attaining a height of 18 feet. The
leaves grow to lengths of _3 feet and form a good forage. In ao-e the
foliage gets hard, but still continues excellent for e n silag e .' The
young shoots, when boiled, constitute a fair culinary esculent. Dr
Schweinfurth harvested a t Cairo from three seeds in one year about
12,000 grains ; the plant requires, about ten months to ripen seeds
from the time of sowing. Has grown 9 feet high as far south as
Cambewarra [Thos. Weir]. A t Somerset, in Cape Colony, Mr.
Overman obtained a rich return a t the end of Jan u ary from ’seeds'
sown in November. Best grown as green crop for stable-fodder.
This grass, particularly in its yonng state, is remarkably saccharine!
For.soenio growth this stately plant is also reeommendable. Vilmorin
estimates one plant sufficient for feeding two head of cattle during
twenty-four hours. Mons. Thozet, a t Rockhampton, obtained plants
12 feet high and 12 feet wide in damp alluvial soil, each with 32
main stalks bearing nearly 100 flower bunches. Grqws to a height
of 15 feet as far south as Swan-River, aud ripens seeds there W,
Dale]. On the Clarence-River it also attained a height of 15 feet'
and a plant produced 38 shoots [A . Ritter]. Thrives well in th i
frostless regions of South-Gippsland [W. H. Lucas]. With some
watering it grew in the arid districts of the Murchison-River so well,
th a t it could be cut thrice in the season, the last cutting being still
4 feet high, and yet seeding well [Isaac Tyson]. I t should therefore
prove particularly valuable on humid banks in the Australian interior.
I t is much quicker in growth than Guinea-Grass, though
rather slower than Maize, but lasting longer for green fodder, and
not so hardy as Sorghum. I t is essentially a summer grass. Its
growth can be continued by cutting the tufts as green fodder ; thus
tender food is continued ; it does not cause colic to horses and cattle.
As a forage-plant it is without a rival in warm climes. I t can also
be readily dried for hay. I t likes humid soil best, and resists intense
. I'-.'