VEQETABLE FIBERS. 607 



Btate, atpiv^sent, sf.ems to be all the farmer will have to do. If he can he saved the 

 trouble and expense of preparing pools for eteeping, as is done in India in respect to 

 jute and ramie, and in Euro[)C and Ireland in respect to flax, and two or three hand- 

 lings and cartings besides, ho will have gained a very material advantage in the cost 

 of those domestic products. 



We have known for some time of an ingenious mechanical contrivance in Newark 

 for extracting fiber from the various fibrous plants we are endeavoring to introduce 

 into our State. This machine is the invention of Mr. A. AngoU, and we have no hesi- 

 tation in saying that it has achieved such results as to entitle it to public recognition 

 as being in the line of devices for promoting the fibrous industry. Sxicces in this new 

 industry, as we have many times stated, and which daily becomes more obvious, is 

 dependent upon the best mechanical attainments in separating the bark from the wood, 

 and in the subseqiient manipulation of the fiber for market. Hence it is incumbent 

 upon us to acquaint the pubUo with whatever comes to our knowledge respecting 

 progress in the development of this important industry. 



The normal length of fibers destined for the loom is of no special moment, since it is 

 well understood that for spinning purposes the very long class of fibers require to be 

 subjected to a process by which they may be assimilated to cotton and wool; therefore, 

 the means by which they can be brought into the spinning state with the least injury 

 to the fiber will necessarily be adopted. The two gentlemen we have referred to are 

 sedulously engaged in efforts to solve the remaining problem respecting the production 

 of domestic fibers. They have both succeeded in furnishing products which have 

 elicited the deepest interest on the part of consumers, who stand ready to use New 

 Jersey jute and ramie whenever they can be supplied. Hitherto both of these prod- 

 ucts, for the moat part in all countries, have been woven into fabrics of various grades j 

 but there is reason to believe vast quantities of jute, especially, will be consumed for 

 cordage, bagging, matting, and other long-staple purposes, in this country, as soon as 

 the raw materials are grown hero. 



The writer has interviewed several large importers and consimiers of all kinds of hemp, 

 jute, sisal, and flax, and but one opinion was expressed rcBpecting the prospective in- 

 dustrial value of the New Jersey products exhibited, conditioned of course, upon 

 their relative cost to those already in use. We were likewise assured that the con- 

 sumption of this and kindred fibers is practically limitless under such conditions as to 

 cost and quality as present attainments in domestic culture seem to indicate and 

 verify. 



Washington University, Saint Louis, Mo., OdolerZO, 1879. 



DKA.R Sir*. Recent investigations enable me to make a prompt response to your in- 

 quiries. 



The AbuUlon avicmnce, the cultivation of which you have so forcibly recommended, 

 seems susceptible of development into a source of public wealth. The plant grows 

 throughout the West in rank and wild luxuriance. It has the spirit and capacity of 

 conquest. With invasive march it has taken possession of large tracts of land. Its 

 tenacity of life and rapid sj^read render its cultivation a far easifer task than extermi- 

 nation. There are to-day, in the suburbs of Saint Louis, stalks of abutilon 8 feet in 

 height. It is claimed that the fiber is superior to hemp in whiteness, strength, dura- 

 bility, and cheapness of production. Unlike Indian jute, abutilon needs no naturali- 

 zation. To the manor born, it exhibits a stubborn determination to occupy its 

 heritage. 



V/hy is not this plant utilized? If it grew in France, the French Government, ever 

 sagaciously watchful for new sources of public wealth, would encourage its cultiva- 

 tion by the offer of liberal bounties, and stimulate inventors to the discovery of the 

 best process for treating the fiber by prices generously proportioned to the magnitude 

 of the interest. A policy which has so effectively developed the textile resources of 

 France would, presumably, bo alike beneficial to the manufacturing industries of 

 the United States, If personal wishes could control legislative action, my own State 

 would anticipate New Jersey in the adoption of this policy. 



The off'er of bounties in a country which throughout its history has fostered domes- 

 tic industries by the i)rotectiou of a tariff assuredly needs no defense. If it bo wise 

 to discourage the importation of foreign products by means of a tariff, certainly it 

 cannot be impolitic to develop native substitutes by the beetowment of bounties. 

 Even if individual enterprise would ultimately accomplish the result, the patronage 

 of the State would secure its earlier attainment. Our legislatures can well afford to 

 encourage experiments whose success would enrich the nation. The expenditure of a 

 tew thousand dollars may bring a return of many millions. 



The jute crop of India is now about half a million tons, worthatleast|50,000,000; and 

 the cost of the foreign fibers annually imported into the United States is more than 

 §30,000,000. If any considerable portion of these larger values can be created and 



