BOWSTRING HEMP 185 



country, but was probably introduced from Kew. 

 The fibre was 3-4 feet long and of satisfactory colour, 

 but was inferior to that of F. gigantea. 



BOWSTRING HEMP (Sansevieria spp.) 



There are numerous species of Sansevieria (natural 

 order Liliaceae), the leaves of which yield fibre suitable 

 for use in cordage manufacture and known as " bow- 

 string hemp." These plants are abundant in tropical 

 Africa, and also occur in Ceylon, India, the Dutch 

 East Indies and China. The fibres resemble Sisal 

 hemp in general properties, but there is a considerable 

 diversity in character between the products derived 

 from different species. The leaves arise from the 

 base of the plant, and vary in length from 2 to 6 feet 

 or more. They are of a fleshy and succulent nature, 

 but whilst those of certain species, such as S.guineensis, 

 are comparatively flat and wide, others, such as those 

 of S. Ehrenbergiij are thick and narrow. The plants 

 possess large, thick underground stems or rhizomes 

 which, in some species, throw out more or less 

 numerous branches. 



The Sansevierias require a temperature of not 

 less than 60 F., and demand a humid climate and a 

 certain amount of shade. Most species prefer a rich, 

 moist, loamy soil, but S. Ehrenbergii generally grows 

 on arid land. When planted in a favourable environ- 

 ment, the plants grow rapidly and become perman- 

 ently established by means of their rhizomes. Hitherto 

 fibre has been extracted from wild plants only, but 

 in order to create a lasting industry it would be 

 necessary to have recourse to systematic cultivation. 

 Propagation can be effected by means of cuttings of 

 the rhizomes ; in some cases the leaves, or portions 

 of them, if embedded in moist earth to a depth of 

 about 2 inches, will throw out fibrous roots and sub- 

 sequently develop suckers. 



The fibre is extracted from the leaves of these plants 

 by methods similar to those employed in the prepara- 

 tion of Sisal hemp. 



