Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-10-17
The RAnaho0

Some time ago we gave our own views on the
sections of this country where the climate ard
soil were adapted to its growth, believing that
there were such sections where il would readily
grow nearly or quite rs well IS in China and
the East-Indies. Ii was some years ago intro
duced into Egypt, and the Agricultural Depart
ment OF that country has issued a pamphlet on
the subject, from which we gather the follow
ing
The gigantic bamboo, which is of colossal
dimensions, growing TO the height Of sixty-four
feet, and is fifteen to eighteen inches in circun-
ference, from the joints Of which, especially
tfose OF the middle and upper parts, grow
numerous branches with long leaves, Is the
most vigorous specie of this srboTescent plant.
IL was introduced some years ago into the gar
dens of the Khedive ofEgypt, at Ghezireh from
whence IL has been multiplied In two or three
other gardens of the Khedive LAST autumn, that
ne expressed his determination to import il
into Brazil, and 70 cultivate IL upon the tmpe-
rial estates as shade fer animals during the
heat OF summer. The gigantic bamboo OTigi-
rates IN India and China, and l. highly appre-
elated wherever it is cultivated, being used
for posts in pavilions and the houses of the
inhabitants The hollow joints are utilized for
CARY ing LIQUIDS, Tor flower vases, etc; and In
China. and especially in India, for bottles aud
tobacco boxes, highly wrought and polished,
and sold at great prices. The larger stalks are
also US for bridges, water pipes. and carts and
other vehicles. In fine, tie wood Is employed
in the arts, in q mu titude of industries, and for
implements Of agrieplturs. The species OF
ban boo vegetables with such rapidity that II can
almost lie said that one can see IL grow It's
progress may be seen from day TO day, and At
GheZireh 10 has been known TO grow nine
inches in single night. In China, criminals
copoemned 10 aesth are subjected TO the afro
cless punish ment OF impalt ment by means "
the bamboo.
A humid soil is congeniaI to the gigantic
bamboo, although it suffers under a prolonged
inuDdation. tbs proposed in Egypt to cult
vate itupOn the borders of the canals in the vast
domains OF the Khedive.
There is also in the garden of Egypt another
species of the bamboo, believed to be the BAN
busd GTuadi8GceG of WibdenOw. Ii presents the
following characteristics: The stalks are smsll-
er and shorter than the gigantic bamboo OF
India; IL attains about thirty nine feet height:
il forms larger tufts or clusters than the great
bamboo, aud throws out a great number OF
stalks, which are furnished with numerous
slender and fexuous branches, bearing, orti-
narily. tolerabe large thOrns, a little arched al
the joints or articulation; and the leaves are
smaller than those ofthe gigantic species, being
rounded at the base, lance-shsped, tapering 70
a point, and little downy.
There is another species of bamboo which il
Is proposed to cultivate in Egypt. 1t attains
a height OF sixteen or twenty feet, produces
enormous clusters of danes, about the size of
the hnger, and makes excellent props for use
in horticulture. A plant of two or three years
growth will furnish a hundred stalks, forming
cluster OF Tast size. The species is the 6ap-
young shoots are edible, and in China regarded
as very DOuTishiDg.
There is still another species of bamboo To
which the attention of the cultivatOrs in Egypt
is called. 1t is the black bamboo (baBtIxsa
nigrd) IL Is distinguished principally by its
slender branches, which are of a fine black
color, and from which canes are manufactured
extensively for expectation. Pens are made
from the smaller stems, and commonly used Tor
writing in Egypt.-Germ1utolyn TsIs9rIpb