5?8 Journal of the Department op AGRictfLTiTRfi. 



a quantity of each in water, and will take the fibre from which- 

 ever yon may think the best. Personally, I see little or no 

 difference. 



" The plant grows to an average height of 5 or 6 feet and, 

 where allowed to grow unmolested, grows so densely that it is 

 extremely difficult to get oxen to face it when ploughing. 



" Also, owing to its spiny nature it is a difiicult plant to 

 handle, but that could be overcome by using a reaping and bind- 

 ing machine. After al)out two days in water the spines cease to 

 be troublesome." 



In August Mr. Pedley forwarded two bundles of fibre, each 

 weig'hing about 4 lb. The fibre in one bundle was stated to have been 

 taken from plants which were cut green and cured, and then immersed 

 in water for about nine weeks. The fibre in the other bundle had 

 been extracted from plants which had ripened their seeds and had 

 dried out on the land. This had been immersed in water for some 

 27 days. 



These two samples were forwarded through the Department of 

 Industries to London for analysis and report, but were unfortunately 

 lost in transit between the Trades Commissioner's Ofiice and the 

 Imperial Institute. 



Fortunately, Mr. Pedley was able to furnish a further supply of 

 each sample, and this in due course reached the Imperial Institute. 



The reports on both samples are as follows : — 



Imperial Institute. 



Report ]\'<>. 1. — Results of the Examination of Hibiscus cannabinus 

 fibre from South Africa. 



Imperial Institute No. 1679/17/1; date 26th July, 1917. 



Reference.— Leiiex No. T.C.85/16, dated 31st March, 1917, from 

 the Trades Commissioner. 



Number or Mark and Weight of Sample. — " Fibre of Hibiscus 

 cannabinus, cut green and immersed in water for 9 weeks. No. 141." 

 Weight 3i lb. 



Description. — This fibre was of very variable character and colour. 

 It was rather harsh, and a considerable portion of the sample was 

 stiff and gummy, and had bark adhering to it. The better cleaned 

 portions were dull and weak and evidently over-retted. On the whole 

 the material was not well prepared. 



Strength. — Uneven, but fair on the whole. 



Length of Staple. — From 2 feet 6 inches to 4 feet 6 inches, 

 mostly about 3 feet. 



Results of Examination : — 



Present "Bimlipatain Jute" 

 sample. (/Z. cannabinus). 



Moisture, per cent 8.9 12.5 



Ash, per cent 0.7 1.3 



(a) Hydrolysis, loss, per cent. ... 13.1 il.8 



(6) Hydrolysis, loss, per cent. ... 19.7 15.1 



Acid purification, loss ... 3.0 — 



Loss on washing in water 2.3 75.4 



Cellulose 73.0 . 75.4 



