130 SECT. XII.—PLANTS USED IN KURAL (ECONOMY.

put into casks with scalding water, render them sweet if they aremusty, or contain any bad flavour.

608. CROCUS vermis. Spring Crocus. —Is well known as a springflower, producing one of the most cheerful ornaments to the flower-garden early in the spring. It affords a great variety in point of beau-ty and colour, and is an article of considerable trade among the Dutchgardeners, who cultivate a great number of varieties, which everyyear are imported into this and other countries.

609. EQUISETUM hyemale. Dutch Rush. — Of this article greatquantities are brought from Holland for the purpose of polishing ma-hogany. The rough parts of the plant are discovered to be particlesof flint.

610. ERIOPHORUM polystachion. Cotton Grass.— The down ofthe seeds has been used, instead of feathers, for beds and cushions Jand the foliage in the north of Scotland is considered useful as fodder.

fill. GALIUM verum. Yellow Ladies'Bedstraw. —The foliageaffurds the dairy-maid a fine rennet for making cheese.

612. JUNCUS glaums.

-conglomerate

These are collected by persons tomake mats with, and by -which

xnany of the travelling people in the country earn a livelihood

613. JUNCUS effusus. Blueish Rush. —This is collected in Hol-land, and brought to this country for candle wicks. The poor peoplein Hampshire collect these and peel them, and after dipping them V0any kind of greese or fat use them for lights instead ot candles.

614. PHILADELPHUS corortarius. Syringa.— The good house-wives in Wales rub the floors of their best rooms and the furniturewith the leaves of this plant, which gives them a beautiful polish andcolour.

615. PLANTAGO major. Great Plantain. —The seeds of thisplant are gathered for food for Canary birds, and are much in requestby the breeders of this species of feathered choristers. It is consider-ed a good alterative, and necessary to the health of these and otherbirds that are kept in cages,

616. RUSCUS aculeatus. "Botcher's Broom. —This is inconsiderablerequest for making brooms for butchers, who clean their stalls downwith them.

617. SC1RPUS lamstris. Bull-Rush —This grows principally inthe shallow muddy parts of rivers and ponds ; is in great demand formaking mats, bottoms of chairs, aud other domestic purposes.