ON THE TREE MALLOW. 297 



contained an abridged copy of my letter, quoted at page 287, 

 which was concluded by the editorial remark, that " years ago the 

 utilization of this plant was suggested by the late Mr Hogg and 

 by the editors of this journaL" 



The above series of quotations show that I have no claim to 

 the original discovery of the tree mallow being a fibre-producing 

 plant, although my attention was drawn to it in entire ignorance 

 of these prior claims. Hence my investigations and experiments 

 with it are likely to be th3 more useful, from having been con- 

 ducted independently of previously ascertained facts and failures 

 re^'ardincj; it. The use of the seeds for feedin<^, and some of the 

 other purposes for which I have recommended the plants and 

 their products, have, however, claims to novelty ; and I trust 

 that the means I have taken to bring its merits fully before both 

 cultivators and manufacturers may result in the complete 

 realization of the advantacres herein held out to both, A usual 

 question that has been put to me is : If the tree mallow is really 

 so useful as you represent it, how does it happen that its use- 

 fulness has not been previously known ? The preceding paragraph 

 shows that its properties have not been altogether, although 

 partially, overlooked ; but even such as were ascertained do not 

 seem to have been brouiijht under the notice of those most 

 deeply interested in any practical form. A patent taken out for 

 the manufacturing of mallow fibre is just one of that class most 

 likely to be shelved or laid aside and no more thought of. For 

 in the first place a manufacturer requires a large and constant 

 supply to justify him in making the requisite machinery altera- 

 tions to allow of the new material being successfully wrought 

 out; and he would have to set about providing for his new 

 supplies of material about two years prior to the first crop being 

 produced. And in the second, place few tenant farmers, even if 

 permitted by their leases, would care to embark in experimental 

 cultivation of any kind that would take about two years before 

 pecuniary returns could be realized, and that more especially in 

 the face of patent restrictions. Hence it is only by the com- 

 bined eftbrts of landlords and manufacturers that tree mallow 

 cultivation and its products can be fairly introduced. But when 

 this is once successfully done tenant farmers, if allowed, will 

 soon take to this new branch of agriculture. 



In order to facilitate the exchange of opinions regarding 

 results among the growers ; and that other interested parties 

 may know where to see, and judge for themselves, the following 

 list is given of the names of those who up to the date of publica- 

 tion have embarked in the cullivatiou of Tuee Mallow : — 



Ilis Grace tlui Duke of Argyle, Inveraray Castle. 

 His Grace the Duke of Ijuccleuch, Dalkuith Tiuk, &c. 



