522 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



the United States, from foreign material, into a variety of coarse and 

 fine fabrics. Gunny and baling stuff, sacking, burlaps, crash, carpeting, 

 &c., are exhibited, together with a series ot prepared fiber in various 

 stages. The most beautiful manufactures from this textile, however, 

 are a series of jute tapestry samples, used for ornamental purposes in 

 upholstering. Some of these are of remarkable fineness, and are dyed 

 in delicate colors. An example of the finer specimens, however, with 

 the microscope, revealed the fact that cotton entered largely into their 

 composition, particularly where very delicate patterns had been intro- 

 duced. A finer quality of burlap — as regards finish — is now extensively 

 manufactured, which, after fiJUng with embroidery, is used for mats. 

 This kind of " fancy work" is especially popular with the ladies at the 

 present time. 



THumfetta semitriloba. — This fiber very closely resembles jute in color, 

 strength, and general characteristics. The specimen was received from 

 the Smithsonian Institution (1869), without data other than the name, 

 so the locality cannot be given. 



The plants of the genus are both numerous and widely distributed, 

 abounding in tropical countries in many parts of the world. Fiber is 

 obtained from both T. semitriloha and T. angidata, the first named found 

 in both hemispheres, while the latter is indigenous to Asia, where it 

 abounds in the tropics. 



Sparmannia Africana. — Dr. Guilfoyle, who prepared this sample of 

 fiber says that, "though a native of Africa, the plant is of quick growth 

 in Victoria, and the fiber, which is produced in large quantities, is of a 

 very fine texture. For many purj)oses it is equal, if not superior, to the 

 Chinese grass-cloth plant." 



The fiber is of a beautiful silvery-gray color when it has been properly 

 prepared. Some of the filaments of this sample are brilliant and lus- 

 trous, and it possesses considerable strength j in fact, seems almost 

 equal to China grass in tenacity. 



There are four species of Sparmannia, all of which are African trees 

 or shrubs, with heart-shaped, toothed, or lobed leaves, and bearing white 

 flowers. S. Africana is to be met with in green-houses, "having been 

 introduced by Captain Cook on his second voyage." 



Muntingia calabura. — This tree abounds in the West Indies and South 

 America, where its wood is valuable for many purposes, and especially 

 for making staves. In Yenezuela it is known as Majaguillo, and its 

 fibrous bark is sometimes used for coarse ropes and cordage. Its bast 

 is very soft and pliable, twists easily, and if used in this manner, with- 

 out attempting to separate or clean the fibers, is possessed of ordinary 

 strength. The fibrils are exceedingly fine and silky, so much so that 

 the bast, when broken, exhibits at the point of rupture the flossy ap- 

 pearance always seen at the raw ends of skein or embroidery silk. 

 Separating the fiber would undoubtedly diminish its strength. The 

 specimen was received from Yenezuela (Exhibition, 1876). 



5.— Linages. 



Liimm usitntissrrnvm.—'FUx. — Flax has been employed as a textile 

 fii-om the earliest periods recorded in history. Fine linen is continually 

 mentioned in the pages of Holy Writ, and Solomon imported flax from 

 Egypt, which was woven into cloth by his subjects. 



The first record of flax culture in this country shows that, in 3 629, in 

 the town of Salem, I\rass., " an acre of gTound vras set apart to one 

 Samuel Coruhill" for its cultivation. It was ordered to be introduced 

 into the Colony of Massachusetts in 1629, and in 1640 the general court 



