540 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



tlie average. " From 150 to 200 trees are required to produce oue picul, 

 or 140 pounds of fiber, or 3,200 trees for a tou of 2,240 pounds." Thus 

 an Indian prepares only about 12 pounds of fiber per day, for which he 

 receives h^s half share, 18 cents, which is the value of 6 pounds of the 

 hemp, " yet this insignificant pittance suffices for the wants of himseK 

 and familj'-." 



In this connection it is surprising, when so many hundred thousand 

 bales of fiber are produced annually, and the scraping is comparatively 

 such a simple matter in itself, that machines have not long ago been in- 

 vented to meet the wants or requirements of the natives and those en- 

 gaged in the hemp industry. There are no slaves on the islands, and 

 the natives work on shares or are small ijroprietors. In regard to Abaca 

 culture in our own country, the writer last quoted states : 



If specimens of Manila plantain were imported and. propagated, it might be a soTirce 

 of great profit in the Southern States. No species of Musa examined in the South or 

 in South America produces the Manila fiber. The plantains on this continent are too 

 watery to allow the formation of useful fiber in the trunk. 



The writer, I think, is mistaken in stating that the Ahaca would flourish 

 in the " Southern States." It might succeed in Florida. (See Plantain, 

 or Musa paradisiaca, below.) 



The fiber is white and lustrous, easily separated, stiff and very tena- 

 cious, and also very light, which is a great advantage when the fiber is 

 used for the rigging and running ropes of ships. Viewed microscopic- 

 ally the bundles of fibers are very large, but are readily separated into 

 smooth fibers of even diameter, after the alkaline bath. The central 

 cavity is large and very apparent, the walls being of uniform thickness. 

 The ends grow slender gradually and regularly. The detached sections 

 (cross-sections) appear irregularly round or oval in shape, and the cen- 

 tral cavity is very open and prominent. 



As to tenacity, compared with English hemp, it stands as foUows : A 

 rope of Manila 3| inches in circumference and 2 fathoms lo^g stood a 

 strain of 4,669 pounds before giving way, while a similar rope of Eng- 

 lish hemp broke with 3,885 pounds. A second test of rope If inches in 

 circumference, and the same length, gave 1,490 pounds for the Manila, 

 and 1,184 pounds for the English hemp. 



A large and valuable collection of Abaca or Manila hemp was received 

 at Philadelphia (Exhibition, 1876), comprising a large portion of the 

 fiber exhibit of the Philippine Isles. The fiber is exhibited in different 

 stages, as well as samples of Abaca cloth and the manufactures from it. 

 Other samples were received from the Queensland exhibit, prepared by 

 Alexander McPherson. 



The manufacture of Manila hemp in this country is for the most part con- 

 fined to iieavy cordage. Mr. Joseph Chisholm, a veteran manufacturer of 

 Salem, Mass., states that Manila hemp began to be used extensively in this 

 country, in Salem and Boston, in 1824 to 1827. In 1820 a sample was 

 brought to the first-mentioned city by John White, a lieutenant in the 

 United States Navy, on-the brig Elizabeth. He also says : 



In regard to the grass hemps, Manila hemp ia stronger and more flexible (suant, some 

 Bay) than any other growth. Tampico is more nearly allied to it, but is harsh. Sisal 

 is not so strong as Mauila; is of less length and harsher. Manila hemp as a growth 

 remains to be rivaled upon this continent. 



This fiber is imported inhales of 270 pounds, costing at present (Jan- 

 uary, 1880) 7J cents per pound. One New York manufactory used in 

 1879 41,366,710 pounds of this fiber, equivalent to 153,173 bales. 



American-manufactured Manila for the most part goes into the rigging 

 of vessels, or is used on shipboard, though it also finds use for every 



