VEGETABLE FIBERS. 511 



and straw used in its place. A series of paper saDiples submitted for 

 inspection are fair wrapping papers, resembling a liglit manila more 

 than auytliing else. The jiaper is clear and of firm texture ; samples of 

 flax-straw paper Avere also included, with a very good specimen of i)a- 

 per fi'om wheat straw, called "bogus manilla." 



There is a small series of samples of Abutilou fiber in the museum, 

 showing it as extracted, and also dyed to exhibit the facility with which 

 it takes colors. The fiber has been used to some extent in the manu- 

 facture of cordage and twine. Specimens of rope exhibited at the last 

 Kew Jersey State fair carried off the prize of $100 for the best textile 

 products of the State. 



Mr. Hickox states that a factory was started in Springfield, 111., a few 

 years ago for the manufacture of rope and small cordage, but from some 

 cause unknown to the writer the project was abandoned. Samples of 

 twine forwarded seem strong and good. 



Another use to which the fiber was i)ut, though only to a limited ex- 

 tent, was in the manufacture of a substitute for feather dusters, a few 

 stiff' feathers being inserted in a handle in the center of a mass of fiber 

 to hold it out in the form of a duster. Other fibers, as hemp, are used 

 for the same purpose. I have had no opportunity to examine manufact- 

 ures from i^ew Jersey grown Abutilou, though the samples of fiber 

 shown me by Mr. Brown seemed very strong and good. 



The specimens in the museum are not equal to okra fiber, and the ma- 

 terial is quite brittle, so much so that when used as a brush or duster 

 they make almost as much dirt as they are supposed to clean away. 



The fiber is used for making i^aper to some extent in the West. 



Abutilon mollis. — In the Yictorian collection (Exhibition, 1876), there 

 are four species of Abutilon., which have been introduced into Vic- 

 toria from South America. Like other malvaceous plants, they are all 

 fiber-producing, and might prove worthy of cultivation. Dr. Guilfbyle 

 says of this species, " though a native of South America, the shrub is of 

 exceedingly rapid growth in Victoria. Its fiber is very strong and suita- 

 ble for matting, paper," &c. The sample has been carelessly prepared 

 and is not of good color, nor are the fibers weU separated. It is never 

 quite strong, aad in general characteristics resembles that of its allied 

 genus Hibiscus. 



Abutilon Bedfordianum. — Habitat, Brazil. — Victorian collection of 

 Guilfoyle. "A tall, rank-growing shrub, of very rapid growth in Vic- 

 toria. The bark yields a fiber of superior quality, suitable for whip- 

 cord, fine matting, paper, and perhajis textile fabrics." The fiber has 

 been much more carefully prepared than the preceding. It is almost 

 white, the filaments fine and regular, and possessed of considerable te- 

 nacity. 



Abutilon venosum. — Veined Lantern Flower. — This is also a native ot 

 Brazil. Victorian collection of Gudfoyle. " Fiber of fine quality, suit- 

 able for fishing-lines, textile fabrics, and paper." Eesembles thex)reced- 

 ing in color and fineness, though appears to be stronger. 



Abutilon striatum. — Streaked Lantern Flower. — This is the species so 

 commonly met with in greenhouses in winter, and growing out of doors 

 (in this latitude) in our gardens through the summer. The plant is a 

 native of Brazil. Tlie sample of fiber is from Victorian collection. " Its 

 bark, which peels readily, furnislies a fiber of very fine texture." As 

 this plant grows so readily out of doors in the warmer portions of the 

 United States, it might be worthy of experiment, as the fiber is fully as 

 strong as the preceding, and could be obtained in considerable length, 

 as the shrubs grow to the height of 4 to 6 feet, and, as its bark peels 

 readily, could be easily extracted. 



