566 REPORT OP TBE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. ' 



exct-ption of cotton), and to sucli otlier persons as are interested in tlie 

 fartlierauce of American textile industries. At tlie same time efforts 

 •vTcre made by special correspondence and inquiry to secure the latest 

 and fiesliest information regarding sucli plants as ramie, alnitUon, tlie 

 malloAvs, yucca, and others, which are susceptible of cultivation, yielding 

 fibers worthy of utilization in the arts. The subject of new machinery 

 has also been considered, especially in relation to those fibers which, 

 produced as yet only experimentally, have been awaiting a cheap means 

 of mechanical manii)ulation. 

 The following is the text of the circidar issued : i 



United States Department of Agkiculture, 



Washington, D. C, January 1, 1380. 



Dear Sir : A report upon 115 epecies of vcgetaljlc fibers, recently prepared by Mr. 

 Charles R. Dodge, of New York City, is ready for publication ; but it has been thought 

 advisable, in view of the rajiid advancement of the jute, liax, and hemp industries, 

 and of the growing interest in ramie or China grass, to add a chapter, before pub- 

 lication, bearing particularly upon the fibers named, with the latest information, 

 statistics, &c., concerning their production and manufacture. It is my desire that 

 this report be as complete as possible in its economic and practical features, and, de- 

 Bcribing as it does many new or little-known fibers as well as those of fixed co^araercial 

 value, with their uses, growth, preparation, &c., to make it of special value alike to 

 producer and manufacturer. 



For the purpose of gaining correct information as to the manufacture of the fibers 

 named, and a knowledge of other fibers that may possibly be utilized to a very limited 

 extent, this circular has been prepared, and the appended list of questions submitted 

 to manufacturers for reply. 



As the department is particularly interested in encouraging home production, and 

 of advancing the cultivation of new or partially-tried fibers that may prove worthy 

 of more general use, it is of special importance to discrimiuate between native and 

 imported fiber. If yon have had experience with other vegetable fibers than those 

 named in the circular (excepting cotton), experimentally or otherwise, any informa- 

 tion that can be given the department concerning them will be thankfully received, 

 and credit given in the report. The replies to this circular wiU only be used in pre- 

 paring a summary of results, which will interest none more than the manufacturers 

 themselves, and will be confidential as far as it relates to the private business of 

 individuals, and known only to the compiler. 



Any envelope samples of manufactures or of fibers sent to Mr. Dodge will bo subse- 

 quently exhibited in the museum of tho department, credited to the donors upon the 

 regular museum labels. 



Please reply at an early date, using the inclosed return envelope. 

 I am, respectfully, 

 ; W. G. LeDUC, 



i:/ Commissioner of Ayriculture. 



'* -^ " ' QUESTIONS. 



1. Name of fiber manufactured by you. 



2. Source of supply. 



3. In what form received. 



4. Quantity used per annum ; a imported, h native. 



5. Price per pound as received at the manufactory. 



6. Do you make a difference in price between the imported and native; and why? 



7. What class of goods do you manufacture? Uses of such goods? 



8. Can you give a general statement of the amount of each kind manufactured in 

 1879? 



9. WTiat new machinery or processes have recently been introduced? 



10. Principal market for goods ? 



11. How does the native-grown fiber compare with that which is imported ? 



12. ^Vllat experience have you had with ramie or China grass ? 



13. Have you ever tested or manufactured other vegetable fibers of native growth, 

 as asclejjias, abutilou, the mallows, &c., or any of the tropical foliacious fibers, as 

 yucca, agavo (Sisal hemp), or other fibers, and with what results ? 



14. Give views of si^ecial encouragements or hindrances aftecting tho extension of 

 such manufactures. 



At the outset of the inquiry it was proposed to incorporate the gen- 

 eral results of the investigation in the main report on the fibers of the 

 museum collection (Part I), and to treat each i)lant under its respect- 



