380 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jfay 2, 1908. 



FiljfL' that is to be used locally for the ni;uiutactiirc of cloth luulcrgoes much more 

 elaborate process of ti'eatmeiit. Tlic leaf stem in the centre of the stalk is selected, and 

 the fibre is often diawn several limes under tlie stripping knife, M'hich gives a product 

 that is line, soft, and white. If to lie used fftr the tinest textures, it is then placed in a 

 wooden bowl and beaten ■with a mallet until the rci|uiied fineness and elasticity are 

 obtained. 'I'his process j'iclds a fibre that is almost silk-like ; and some of the textiles 

 manufactured from best ipialit}' abaca livals in delicacy and beauty the celebrated pina 

 anil jusi fabrics. 



Description and Yield of Fibre. 



Abaca fibre nf good ipiality is from S feet to 12 feet long, of a glossy white colour, very 

 light and strong, and <>f a clean, even texture. As cordage material it has no sui)eiior, 

 its chief value, particularly for shi])s" ropes, being itiS'relative lightness ami strength. 



The yield of fibre varies greatly in accordance with the variety "f the plant, the soil 

 and climate conditions, and the methods of extraction used. Under favourable condi- 

 tions the annual yield will average from 12 to l(i j)iculs of dry fibre per hectare, or 687'5 

 to 967 '() lb. per acre. The average yield thi'ougbout the islands is probably Ijelow this 

 figure, often not exceeding 6 piculs per hectare. I'nder careful management the yield 

 may be lirought up to 20 or 2.") piculs ])er hectare. From .'v lb. to 1 lb. of fibre is olttaincd 

 fiom a single stalk. In Southern Mindanao the estimate is 212 stalks for 1 i»icul cf fibre. 

 With l,2.')lt plants to the hectare, and an annual yield of four stalks per plant, the 

 returns for 1 hectare would be 28-6 )>iculs, or ."5,24.1 lb. of fibre. 



Twist of Grain in Timbers. 



I)i?. Robert Bell, Chief Geologist of the Geological Sin\cy nf Canada, 

 writes to me as follow s : — 



In Canada a large projioition of the forest trees have a more or less pronounced twist 

 in the grain of the wood, which in, say, 90 per cent, is to the left — i.i ., if you look either 

 up or down the trunk, the twist is in the ojipo.site direction to the movement of the 

 hands of a watch. It is supposed to be due to the prevailing winds. It has occurred to 

 me that any theory as to the cause would be helped if one knew if a similar phenomenon 

 occurs in Australia. 



May J therefore ask how this is ; to which direction the ^rain of the wood turns, and 

 what you consider to be the cause. In what species of trees is it most marked. 



The attention of ii'adcrs of tlic (Utzctte is eallcil to the matter, ami corn - 

 sjiomlciicc is invited. 



J. li. .MAJDEN. 



