584 FIBRES 



The export of this article during 1913 amounted to more 

 than 8,700 tons, against about 6,000 tons in 1912, and 

 about 2,000 tons in 1911. The following table shows the 

 various countries of destination in 1912 and 1913: 



1912. 1913. 



Tons Tons 



Netherlands and Netherlands f/t .. 1,086 ... 1,249 



Germany 



United Kingdom ... 



France ... 



Other European countries 



United States of America 



Other countries 



98 ... 262 

 1 88) 



275 | l 484 



i.3J 



4,375 - 6,557 



96 ... 196 



Total ... 6,131 8,748 



The principal ports of export are Sourabaya and 

 Samarang, from which the export amounted to : 



1912. . 1913- 



Ton s Tons 



Sourabaya ... ... ... 5,882 ... 8,188 



Samarang ... ... ... 249 ... 253 



MANILA HEMP. 



Introduction. Manila hemp is obtained from the leaf- 

 sheaths of the king of banana plants, Musa textilis, Nees, 

 which seems to be a native of the Philippines and the 

 Sangir Islands of the Netherland East Indian Archipelago. 

 This species is being gradually planted in other parts 

 of the Netherland East Indies, especially in Java, with a 

 view to the preparation of the fibre. 



Cultivation. On high elevations the plants take longer 

 to reach maturity or development, but the fibre obtained 

 from such plants is stronger than from plants grown at 

 lower elevations. This is evidently on account of the 

 slower development of the plant. 



To thrive well Manila hemp requires the rainfall to be 

 equally distributed throughout the year. A long period 

 of drought as well as a low temperature will stunt the 

 plant. 



Manila hemp is sometimes grown as a catch-crop on 

 rubber estates. 



Estates cultivating this fibre plant entirely showed an 



