57^ FIBRES 



requiring to be considered in all calculations is that the 

 plantation must first pass through a period of preparation 

 lasting at least five years. If expensive large machinery 

 is to be laid down profitably, a large area is required for 

 planting sisal. The cost of such plantations is therefore 

 a very heavy item. 



KAPOK. 



Some years ago the cultivation of kapok trees (Ceiba 

 pentandra, syn. Eriodendron anfractuosum) was also 

 begun in the German Colonies. The silky hairs of the 

 internal membrane of the capsules have the advan- 

 tage of being very light and buoyant. In this respect 

 kapok surpasses both pith and cork. Extensive use has 

 therefore been made of kapok within recent years in the 

 manufacture of swimming- and life-belts. The chief 

 importance of kapok attaches, however, to its being an 

 excellent substitute for the animal materials hitherto 

 employed for stuffing cushions, mattresses, and other 

 articles of upholstery. 



The first lot of kapok was exported from East Africa 

 in 1909, its amount being 18,137 kilograms. The con- 

 sideration which has been accorded to kapok of late years 

 has led to a further extension of its cultivation, which is 

 at present increasing rapidly. The exports were as 

 follows : 



Quantity. Value. 



Kilograms Marks 



1909 ... ... ... 18,137 ... 9,080 



1910 ... ... ... 12,205 ... 13.043 



1911 ... ... ... 28,637 ... 23,014 



1912 ... ... 53,072 ... 62,601 



The area cultivated has increased from 694 hectares in 

 the beginning of 1911 to 2,632 hectares in the beginning 

 of 1913; of this surface, 641 hectares were ready to yield 

 a harvest. 



In Togo the cultivation of kapok has also been begun 

 recently. A comparatively small quantity was first ex- 

 ported in 1911, the figures being: 



Quantity. Value. 



Kilograms Marks 



1911 ... ... ... 5,060 ... 6,271 



1912 ... ... ... 7,062 ... 7,142 



