72 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



The Indians used these plants for bowstrings, for ornaments and the 

 like, and especially for ropes. The colonists took up these uses, but 

 with the development of cotton, the use of such fibers declined until 

 now it is rare. 



It is not realized, even approximately, what the culture of fil)rous 

 plants will mean to Brazil. It will mean conquest of the desert and a 

 mercio. Rio de Janeiro, Imprensa Nacional, 1919. Pp. ;?76-j-XIII. Figs. 70. 

 vastly increased public wealth. Under textile plants are understood 

 those that give long fibers of any color or diameter, smooth or rough, 

 and moisture resisting. From these fibers are made containers, tissues, 

 and ropes. To these belong the Agave and other Amaryllidaceae like 

 the giant Piteira. 



The important Brazilian fiber plants are found in less than ten 

 botanical families, among which are the Bromeliaceae, the Palmaceae, 

 the Malvaceae, the Amaryllidaceae, and the Urticaceae. with a prob- 

 able total of not many species. The author recommends, however, the 

 study of certain species of Sterculiaceae, Thymeleaceae, Ulmaceae, and 

 Tiliaceae as being possible sources of raw material for paper. 



Some per.^ons have tried the culture of exotic plants, among which 

 is Phormium tenax, Agave, Ramie {Boehmcria nivea), all introduced 

 in Brazil in recent decades and, by that same circumstance, of common 

 occurrence especially as ornamental plants. Ramie has been studied 

 as a forage plant. Agave has been extensively planted but the planta- 

 tions are still of small size and further experiments are needed ; it is 

 generally used for rope. 



Many species of the Amaryllidaceae are exported from Mexico under 

 the trade name of "Sisal" which strictly speaking, is derived only from 

 Agave Sisalana, chiefly exported from the port of Sisal in Yucatan. 



Of them all the author prefers the giant piteira because it furnishes 

 a longer and silkier fiber than does the Agave, and also is so flexible 

 that it is easily woven. It is the best for rope making. 



Regarding cellulose-producing plants, useful in paper making, Brazil 

 possesses so many great trees and fibrous tissues that artificial planting 

 is not necessary. These trees are so rich in cellulose that it consti- 

 tutes 45 per cent of the dry weight of the wood. The land surface of 

 Brazil which is suited to the cultivation of fibrous plants is incalculable. 

 Such plants will grow on poor soils and on shifting sands where sugar 

 cane, wheat, corn, and cofifee can not be cultivated. In the near 

 future, Brazil will be of great importance in (he commerce in cellulose 



