22 



Machine recommend- fibre by manual labour, and I would 



ed for separation of n . i / A -\ 



fibre. recommend a simple machine (4-horse 

 power) similar to that used in the manufacture of 

 aloe-fibre, and capable of moving a pair of cylinders, 

 on a system of beaters or stampers. To avoid delay, 

 however, in making experiments with this plant, an 

 improvement might be made on the rude mode of 

 scutching, by introducing a common brake, consisting 

 of four wooden swords fixed in a frame, and another 

 frame with three swords which play into the inter- 

 stices of the first series by means of a joint at one 

 end. The final process prior to packing for export, 

 can be easily and expeditiously accomplished by 

 means of a board set upright in a block of wood, so 

 as to stand firm. In this board is a longitudinal slit 

 about three feet from the ground, the edge of which 

 is thin. The broken fibre is inserted in the slit so as 

 to project to the right, and with a flat wooden sword 

 the fibre is repeatedly struck until all the pieces of 

 wood which adhere to it are got rid of. 



26. A still further saving might be effected by 

 Machine for com- compressing the fibres into bales by a 



pressing the fibre f 



simple hand machine* now in use among 

 dealers in waste paper and others. The machine is 

 capable of being worked by a man and a boy, who 

 can turn out at the rate of 20 bales or two tons a 

 day. The consignment might be shipped as ballast, 

 as is now being done with the stalks of the maize 

 from America. 



* A drawing and estimate of a machine of this description was forwarded 

 by me to the Commissioner in Sind last June. G. W. S. 



