Castor Bean

or castor oil plant, a handsome, stately plant, a native of southern Asia or northern Africa. In tropical countries it becomes a woody plant reaching a height of thirty feet, but in north temperate countries the bean is planted from seed in May, reaches a height of from three to fifteen feet during the summer, and wilts at the first suggestion of frost. The castor bean is a plant of remarkable growth. In 1907 Oscar Smith of Great Bend, Kansas, grew a plant 180 inches high in 150 days. The total breadth of the plant was 196 inches; the largest leaf measured 36 inches in diameter. The plant bore 347 leaves 6 inches or more in width. Quick growth, colored stems, broad purple leaves from six to thirty inches in diameter, and long racemes of yellowish flowers, make the castor bean a showy, desirable plant for decorative purposes, especially in the center of a mass of foliage plants in a park or other extensive grounds; but it is too large and coarse to commend itself to florists. The fruit is a burr-like pod containing three oval seeds, or beans, from which the castor oil of commerce is obtained. Castor oil plants are raised for commercial purposes in India, France, Spain, Brazil, the West Indies, and the United States. Illinois and Missouri raise seed enough to make St. Louis quite a center of oil production. The best quality of oil is obtained by crushing the seeds cold. It has a light yellow color. It is a thick, smooth oil, almost as heavy as water. In addition to its use as medicine, castor oil is considered the best of oil for sewing machines, lawn mowers, buggies, and all machinery for which it is not too expensive. It is also suitable as a dressing for fine leather, and is recommended for expensive shoes, carriage tops, and costly harness. See Medicine; Oil