162 



CORDAGE FIBRES 



sheaths towards the centre, the innermost sheaths 

 yielding the softest, whitest and weakest. 



In order to regulate the industry and to effect an 

 improvement in the quality of the fibre produced, a 

 compulsory grading system was introduced by the 

 Philippine Government in 1914, and standard grades 

 were established. The regulations came into force 

 on the ist January, 1915. 



Manila hemp (well cleaned fibre) is graded into 

 " extra prime," " prime," " superior current," 

 " good current," " midway," " current," " seconds," 

 " brown," " damaged," " strings," and " tow." 



Manila hemp strips (partially cleaned fibre) are 

 graded into " fair," " medium," " coarse," and 

 " coarse brown." 



As an indication of the relative values of the 

 different grades, a list of prices quoted in the London 

 market in June, 1915, is given below. 



Grade. 



Extra Prime 



Prime 



Superior Current 



Good Current 



Midway 



Current 



Price per ton. Grade. 



56-58 



52-54 

 50-52 

 48-50 

 44-46 

 41-42 



Seconds 



Brown 



Fair 



Medium 



Coarse 



Coarse Brown 



Price per ton. 



38-39 



36-38 



37-38 



32-33 

 . 28-29 

 . 27-28 



PRODUCTION AND EXPORT 



The growth of the Manila hemp industry of the 

 Philippines is shown by the following list of exports. 



Total Exports of Manila Hemp 



Year. 

 1818 



1825 

 1840 

 1850 

 i860 

 1870 

 1880 

 1890 



Tons. 



89,438 

 121,637 

 165,299 

 160,595 

 146,208 



172,347 

 117,904 



