512 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



Abufilon o.xycarpum. — This species appears in the Queensland collec- 

 tion (Exhibition, 1876), in which country it is indigenous. The sample is 

 well prepared, quite white, the fiber soft and lustrous, and appears a 

 little stronger than the Victorian sample. A. indicuni and polyandrum 

 are Eastlndian species, which furnish a strong fiber for rope-making, the 

 first named growing wild in the Bancoorah district, and used as a substi- 

 tute for cordage in making fences for gardens, but for no other purpose. 



Sida retusa. — Queensland hemp. — Sida is another genus of malvaceous 

 plants growing extensively in the more tropical portions of both hemi- 

 spheres. Some of the species abound in mucilage, while the bark of 

 others is rich in fiber. The fiber samj^le was received from Queensland 

 (Exhibition, 1876), labeled " Queensland hemp," and was accompanied by 

 another species, S. rhomMfoUa, the label of which states that this plant 

 "is called Sida retusa." A fine sample of retusa fiber was received 

 with the Victorian collection, labeled Queensland hemp, which was 

 lirepared by Dr. Guilfoyle, who states that the plant has established 

 itself in Melbourne, and is of very quick growth, seeding freely. He 

 regards the fiber as suitable for fine paper, and for the manufacture of 

 cordage. 



The sample of " 8. rliombifolia "" is very white and lustrous, the fila- 

 ments fine and even ; in a portion of the sample the ribbon-like charac- 

 ter of the bark is retained, filled with delicate indentations, giving it a 

 lace-like appearance. These ribbons of fiber break easily, but a twisted 

 cord of the finer prepared fiber, the size of cotton wrapping-twine of the 

 shops, broke only after repeated trials with the hands. The fiber was 

 prepared by Alexander McPherson. This species grows in India, and 

 the bark yields " abundance of very delicate flax-Uke fibers", which Dr. 

 Roxburgh thought might be advantageously used for many purposes. 

 Forbes Watson, in the Descriptive Catalogue of the East Indian Depart- 

 ment, International Exhibition, 1862, pronounces the fiber similar to jute 

 in appearance, " but considered to be intrinsically so superior that it is 

 worth from £5 to £6 more per ton, and he places it next that fiber " in 

 order to attract to it the attention which it deserves. 



Experiments with the fiber of 8. rliombifolia demonstrated the fact 

 that a cord one-half inch in circumference would sustain a weight of 

 400 ijounds. In speaking of Dr. Roxburgh's specimens, Royle says " the 

 fibers are from 4 to 5 feet in length, and display a fine, soft, and silky 

 fiber, as well adapted for spinning as jute, but infinitely superior." The 

 specimens of Queensland hemp in the department collection are very 

 weU prepared, and quite strong; the fiber, in color, is grayish- white. 

 The Victorian sample, while strong, is dark colored, and has been poorly 

 cleaned. 



*S^. pe7'ipl'ocifolia, a native of the Malay Islands, furnishes a serviceable 

 fiber, and 8. tilicefolia is cultivated by the Chinese fqr its fiber, which 

 they consider superior to hemp. The Chinese name for the plant ia 

 King ma. 



Urena lohata. — Urena is another genus of Malvacere, consisting of a 

 few extremely variable species extensively distributed over the tropics 

 of both hemispheres. 



Fiber of U. lohata was received from Brazil (Exhibition, 1876), where 

 it is known as Guaxima. The fiber is extracted readily, and makes very 

 strong cordage. It also takes color well, and the dyes are lasting. In 

 India, where the species also abounds, it is called Bun-oclira^ and pro- 

 duces a strong fiber, "a tolerably fine substitute for heuii^," though an 

 English authority regards the fiber as nearer resembling jute than eithei 

 flax or hemp. 

 . In the East Indies they have recently begun the manufacture of paper 



