6o Fibres oj the Ha7caiia)i Islands. 



distinguishes the market limit of short aud long fibre. After cutting, 

 the bundles of leaves are drawn by mules to the mill where they 

 are placed separately upon the bed or table of the machine by a 

 Japanese who removes their binding cord. Another man lays the 

 leaves in a row and guides them under the feeding chains which grip 

 them at the centre and carry them beneath the first heckling wheel. 

 This consists of a six foot wheel running at the rate of about i6o 

 revolutions per minute, whose broad tire is crossed by transverse 

 flanges or scrapers which crush and remove the pulpy mass from 

 the leaf. A stream of water direc^ted from above assists in this 

 process and thoroughly cleanses the fibre. In this way one-half of 

 the leaf is reduced to fibre, the other half having remained intact, 

 held by the guiding chains. The part of the leaf first treated is 

 now gripped by the chains and the half just released comes beneath 

 another heckling wheel similar to the fir.st and situated on the 

 opposite side of the bed of the machine. The whole leaf is thus 

 divested of its pulpy matter, and a woman stationed at the end of 

 the bed receives the fibre as it is presented b}^ the machine and 

 places it ready to be carried to the drjdng ground. The whole pro- 

 cess of extra(5ting the fibre is concluded in a few seconds. About 

 four per cent, of fibre is obtained, the remainder of the leaf consist- 

 ing of fluids and heterogenous green pulp containing a proportion 

 of short and inferior fibre. This is removed in carts, but it is in- 

 tended soon to carry it away by a flume. At present no use is made 

 of this waste which is considered to be of value as manure, or for 

 the manufadlure of paper. The short discarded fibre should make 

 a good packing tow. 



The Didlionary of the Economic Produ(5ls of India (vol. i, 142) 

 states: "The juice is made into soap. For this purpose it is ex- 

 pressed and evaporated either by artificial heat or simple exposure 

 to the sun. On its reaching a thick consistency it is made into 

 balls with lye ash. This soap lathers with salt as well as with 

 fresh water. A gallon of sap yields a pound of soft extract." This 

 interesting fact is supported b}^ the Cyclopedia of India, which also 

 states that ' 'the split leaves are employed to sharpen razors, owing to 

 the silica they contain. The roots are diuretic and autisyphilitic." 



Upon arrival at the drying grounds the fibre is exposed to the 

 adlion of the sun to dry. The mo.st authoritative fibre literature 

 lays stress upon condu(5ling bleaching and drying in the shade and 

 prote(5ted from the ra3'S of the sun. It is found, however, at the 



