170 
ever, one of the most novel uses of Fique to be seen in Colombia 
is the employment of the green leaves for thatching purposes as 
shown in the accompanying photograph (see Plate VII., fig. 1). 
A specimen of the plant which forms the source of this fibre 
will be noted in the picture on the left. 
‘The annual consumpticn of fibre for the industrial purposes 
above-mentioned must. be very considerable, but notwithstanding 
this, the cultivation and preparation of the fibre is principally 
a domestic industry. There are a few persons who are now 
sound and profitable commercial developments, would, at the 
same time, release a considerable supply of labour that may be 
d.’’ id 
Using modern machiner . b 
: . y, the cost of production of the fibre 
to ‘oF = Bogota or other centre in Cblombia would amount 
per ton, yielding a profit of $95 (£19) per ton, if sold at 
The profits 
EXpLanation or Puate VII. 
Fig. 1. A house th . 
"bi “ atched w iganted. 
Fig. 2. The fibre hung out ms ae ee 
