598 REPORT OP THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



mold." The yield was in some cases at the rate of 3,500 pounds to the 

 acre, some of the stalks reaching a height of 15 feet. Throughout the 

 monthly report of the department for 1871 there are statements, from 

 actual experience, of planters which are worthy of perusal. Professor 

 Waterhouse states that in some instances the fiber was, in the judgjnent 

 of experts, superior in strength to that of the India fiber. He further 

 stated that jute butts can be i)roduced in the United States for 3 cents 

 per pound, and the fiber for 8 cents, basing his estimates upon practical 

 experience. Imported jute costs (for butts) 3 to 5 cents per pound, and 

 the fiber 8 to 12 1 cents. 



The most recent facts in regard to the cultiYation of India jute in this 

 country are given in an article by Professor Waterhouse in the appendix. 



OTHER FIBEOUS PLANTS. 



The replies to the circular contained little information regarding new or 

 partially tried fibers. As a general rule maniifacturers are the last persons 

 to interest themselves in new fibers, especially when the questions of their 

 cheap production and the possibility of a supply are yet to be settled. 

 Even a plant of which so much has been written as ramie, appears to be 

 little known or its uses understood. I do not mean to imply that manu- 

 facturers are opposed to the introduction of new fibers into commerce, 

 as there are scores of manufacturers who would gladly test any new 

 product, if received in sufficient quantity to make it an object. By 

 special inquiry, however, considerable information was gleaned from 

 various sources regarding those fibers whose experimental culture and 

 treatment have been attracting attention in late years. 



Among the indigenous fibers having the greatest claims to recognition, 

 are the Indian mallow {Abutilon avicennce) and the swamp rose-mallow 

 {Hibiscus mosclieutos). The first-named is a troublesome weed, growing 

 throughout the central portions of the United States, often attaining 

 a height of sis or eight feet. It produces a good fiber, which is capable 

 of being utilized for many purposes. It is an annual plant, seeding 

 itself fiom year to year, and is particularly thrifty when gTOwn in corn 

 land. The rose-mallow grows in swamps, and can be cultivated upon 

 uplands ; it has the advantage over the preceding of being i)erennial. 

 The fiber is very similar to that of the Abutilon^ and both plants can be 

 successfully manipulated upon the AngeU machine mentioned above. 

 Mr. Charles Taylor, of Englewood, N. J., says of the maUow fiber : 



Hemp ia an important induBtry in Kentucky, but the people cf that State -will he 

 surim.sed to find that mallow will he a more profitable crop. The yield of fiber from 

 mallow will jjrobably be four or five times aa much as the yield of hemp per stalk 

 or aero. The day the mallow is cat it goea through the mill, the sooner after cutting 

 the better, and the ribbons can be immediately boiled and dried, and they are ready 

 to pack for market. 



Specimens of the fiber of both species were submitted to Messrs. 

 Tucker, Carter & Co., New York, by Mr. Samuel C. Brown, in my pres- 

 ence, and pronounced upon favorably. The offer was also made to test 

 the fiber by manufacture into cordage, &c., i^rovided a ton or more 

 could be furnished. K it could be put through the same machinery as 

 Russia, Manila, and Sisal hemp, and placed upon the market its exact 

 value as a commercial product would verj'^ soon be decided. Tbese 

 fibers are more fully described in Part I. 



Among the foliaceous fibers whose growth and preparation might 

 form new fiber industries, may be mentioned the Yucca and Sisal hemp. 

 The latter, doubtless, could only be cultivated in portions of Florida, 



