22 CORDAGE FIBRES 



fair current, and brown sell at, say, ^"48, ^42, and ^39 

 respectively. 



It was in 1825 that Manilla first appeared in European 

 markets. In 1830, when the monopoly of the Spanish 

 Government was abolished and the Philippine Islands opened 

 to foreign commerce, a great extension in the trade took 

 place. At this time the trade was practically in the hands 

 of two American houses, Messrs. Russel and Sarges, and 

 Messrs. Pelle, Hubell and Company, who held out various 

 inducements to the natives with a view of developing the 

 industry. In 1850 Messrs. Kerr and Company started business 

 in Manila. The principal exporters are now stated to be 

 Messrs. Smith, Bell and Company, Messrs. Stevenson and 

 Company, Messrs. Kerr and Company, and Messrs. Aldecon 

 Company. Manila and Cebu are the ports of export. The 

 natives still make coarse cloth and ladies' hats from the fibre. 



