JUTE SUBSTITUTES 149 



well prepared but insufficiently cleaned. The pro- 

 duct possessed good lustre and strength, and varied 

 in length from 3 to 7 feet. The fibre suffered com- 

 paratively small loss on hydrolysis, and would there- 

 fore resist the prolonged action of watej. It was too 

 harsh for use as a jute substitute, but was suitable 

 for making strong and durable ropes. It was regarded 

 by experts as worth about 12 per ton (with 

 " common " jute at 11-^12 per ton). 



Another sample of the fibre, examined at the 

 Imperial Institute in 1910, was found to be superior 

 to the earlier sample, being of better colour, less harsh, 

 and about 8 feet long. It was regarded as worth 16- 

 17 per ton (with " first native marks " Calcutta jute 

 at 14 75. 6d. per ton), and such fibre would be readily 

 saleable as a substitute for jute. 



Hibiscus quinquelobus . This plant is known in 

 Sierra Leone as " Kowe " or " Corwey "in Mendi, 

 and " Nassim " in Timani, and is sometimes referred 

 to as " West African jute." Owing to the facility 

 with which this fibre can be prepared, it has received 

 special attention, and efforts have been made to en- 

 courage its production. Experiments on the cultiva- 

 tion of this species have been conducted at Mabang. 

 A small trade in the fibre was developed during the 

 years 1904-05. 



The first sample of the fibre submitted to the 

 Imperial Institute consisted of well cleaned bast 

 ribbons of fair strength. The length of the fibre 

 varied from 3 feet to 7 feet 9 inches, most of it being 

 about 5 feet long. The fibre was of a pale buff colour, of 

 fair lustre, fine, and fairly soft. From the results of 

 chemical examination it was evident that " Corwey " 

 fibre is of good quality and resembles jute in its 

 chemical composition and behaviour. The com- 

 mercial experts to whom the sample was referred 

 classed the material as a strong, bast-like fibre of 

 good colour, and worth 25 to 26 per ton (June, 1906). 



A consignment of about one ton of " Kowe " fibre 

 was forwarded to the Imperial Institute in April, 

 1907. The product consisted of brownish-white 

 ribbons composed of interlacing fibres which were 



