182 



CORDAGE FIBRES 



to the ground in sufficient quantities to ensure rapid 

 multiplication. 



The fibre is usually extracted in Mauritius by means 

 of the machine known as the " gratte " or " scraper/' 

 which is manufactured locally and somewhat resembles 

 the raspador which is so largely used in Mexico for 

 the preparation of Sisal hemp (page 175). After 

 leaving the machine the product is thoroughly washed 

 with water, then soaked in a soap solution for 36-48 

 hours, again washed with water, and afterwards hung 

 on wooden rails to dry in the sun. It is then brushed 

 and made into bales of about 500 Ib. for export. The 

 fibre is classed according to its colour into " prime, " 

 " good," " good fair," and " fair " grades. 



The yield of dry fibre from the fresh leaves usually 

 varies from 2 to 2*5 per cent., whereas in the case of 

 Sisal hemp a yield of about 3 per cent, or more is 

 obtained. It is probable that one acre of planted 

 Furcrcea would give about 50,000-60,000 leaves, 

 yielding from f to i ton of marketable fibre. 



The quantities and value of the fibre exported 

 during the years 1894-1915 are given in the following 

 table : 



The product is almost entirely shipped to the 

 United Kingdom, whence the greater part of it has 

 been usually re-exported, mainly to Germany. 



It is evident from these figures that the prices 

 obtained for Mauritius hemp are liable to considerable 

 variation. These fluctuations, like those of Sisal 



