vi PREFACE 



in charge of the Fibre Section of the Scientific and 

 Technical Department of the Imperial Institute. 



It will be seen that besides cotton there is room 

 for an increased British production of several im- 

 portant fibres in those countries in which experi- 

 mental cultivation has already shown that they can 

 be grown with success. 



British Africa, and especially East Africa, may 

 become the chief country of production of Sisal 

 hemp hitherto principally obtained from Mexico. 

 Mauritius may be able to produce larger quantities 

 of the similar fibre known as Mauritius hemp, which 

 could also be cultivated in several other countries. 

 India seems likely to be able to meet the increasing 

 demand for jute, in the production of which it holds 

 at present a virtual monopoly. If need be, however, 

 jute could be grown in other countries, of which 

 West Africa is one of the most promising. Among 

 foreign countries Russia and Belgium occupy a similar 

 position with reference to the main production of 

 flax. It is hoped that Ireland may be able to extend 

 her production in the future, whilst Canada is devoting 

 increased attention to the subject. East Africa is 

 a new and promising field for the cultivation of this 

 most useful fibre, which it appears might also be 

 grown in certain parts of India and Egypt. 



Of the greatest importance to this country are 

 the prospects of increasing the growth of cotton 

 within the Empire and lessening the uncertainty for 

 the Lancashire cotton industry of so great a depend- 

 ence on the cotton crop of the United States. It 

 is satisfactory to learn that the Government are now 

 considering the steps which should be taken to 

 consolidate and extend the successful pioneer work 

 of the British Cotton Growing Association in this 

 direction. The problem is one of vital importance 

 and involves economic questions of some difficulty 

 presenting different aspects in the various countries 

 concerned. It also opens up a wide field for assistance 

 from well-conducted plans of experimental investiga- 

 tion in those countries in which it appears that^fcotton 

 cultivation could be successfully extended. 



WYNDHAM R. DUNSTAN. 



February ', 1917. 



