FIBRES 559 



considering the suitability of soil and climate. There are 

 in the Colony large areas of land which are well suited 

 for plantations of fibre. The greater portion of the 

 Black River district might produce fibre without undue 

 competition with sugar-cane, and it is in this district and 

 in Pamplemousses that extension might be looked for. 

 Regular plantations are now being made on a small scale, 

 but the industry is well worth the close attention of 

 capitalists. With wider plantings centralization of factory 

 working would be possible, and if sufficient fibre were 

 available to keep an up-to-date factory in full working, 

 there appears to be no reason why the return on capital 

 invested should be less than in other countries where 

 fibre is being exploited to a considerable extent. 



The cost of erecting an up-to-date factory is 

 estimated at 3,000 to 3,500, and the cost of planting 

 and bringing the crop into bearing, including cost of 

 supervision, might be estimated at 10 per acre for areas 

 up to 100 acres. With but little cultivation of fibre being 

 carried on it is difficult to give estimates based upon 

 actual costs, but with economical management the above 

 figures should not be exceeded. 



Fibre production might become an important industry 

 in the Colony. It can progress side by side with the 

 sugar industry, and is capable of considerable extension. 

 For economical working, large areas should be cultivated 

 and automatic machinery employed. Grading of fibre 

 according to length, colour, and strength should receive 

 close attention, in order to establish for Mauritius fibre 

 a reputation in the world's fibre markets, as the system 

 of grading by colour, as at present carried out, appears 

 to leave much to be desired. If the experiments of the 

 Government with automatic machinery are successful, 

 the basis for centralized factory working will have been 

 established, and plantings around such factories may be 

 looked for. 



