A BOOT BLACKING PLANT.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1521, 5 March 1886, Page 3

A BOOT BLACKING PLANT.

Among the more remarkable novelties of recent discovery is the boot blacking plant, or Hibiscus rosa siniensis, a native of New South Walea. It is stated that the leaves of this shrub oontikiiifttough and viiooui subitum

gifted with all the the properties and attributes of the finest boot polish. Squeeze them gently over the " "Wellington" or "Blucher," and they will yield some thick dusky drops of sticky fluid, which must then be spread over the surface of the boot in the most approved manner of the shoeblack brigade. This done, a polish of dazzling brilliancy may be brought out by a few light but sweeping touches of the " finishing " brush. If Narcissus had worn boots subjected to this treatment he need never have drowned himself in a pond for lack of a mirror. By judiciously applying a little Hibiscus to his nether extremities he would have been enabled to contemplate his charming lineaments, reflected from his own instep, without stint or bodily risk. The notion of polishing shoes with a handful of leaves seems an odd one no doubt; but mankind will soon get used to it. After all, it is quite prosaic and commonplace compared to some of the marvels lately revealed to us by science, Of course, what is one man's meat is another m*n's poison. Manufacturers of blacking will deplore a discovery that may possibly be hailed with jubilant acclamation by booted humanity at large. Or Hibiscus may haply prove to be New South Wales Latin for hoax. Time will show.