FIBRE PLANTS OF INDIA. 183 



becomes so soft and fine, and retains its strength, that it is 

 worth 100 per ton. 



NALGERY NETTLE. This is an extraordinary plant, it is 

 almost all fibre as there is little or no waste in preparing it ? 

 the shorts or tow resemble sheep's wool and will do well to 

 mix with that article ; the long fibre being fine, it is worth 

 from 70 to 80 per ton. 



WILD EHEEA FROM ASSAM. This is not so strong, but 

 equally fine fibre. The Pine Apple, Yercum, Wucknoo-nor, 

 Plain tain, and Alloe fibres are all made softer and more 

 valuable by the machines, but they are only fit for rope and 

 twine makers. See Dr. Eoyle's testimonial : 



' * East India House, 



"Feb. 28th, 1854. 



' ' SIR, I have received the specimens of East India fibres^ 

 which you have been good enough to put through your 

 machines and liquid. The effect is marvellous on many of 

 them, and I feel from what I have seen, that your manage- 

 ment must be admirable, to convert such ugly rough looking 

 fibres into silky, hair-like material. The other Flax fibres I 

 have also looked at and much admire. There is a great 

 abundance of fibres in India well worthy the attention of 

 merchants. 



' ' Your obedient servant, 



" J. F. ROYLE. 

 "Mr. J. H. Dickson, 



"Machine shop and Flax Works, 

 " Grove Street, Deptford." 



The specimens alluded to by Dr. Royle, were the first Rheea 

 and other fibres that I had from him to prepare on nay 

 machines. 



I had from twenty-five to thirty engineers and pattern 

 makers at work from Nov. 1854 to Nov. 1855,-making my 



