74 TEXTILE FIBRES. 



In spinning it alone some of the processes ought to be omitted, and there 

 would then be a better chance of making it into a rich, serviceable 

 yarn. 



In addition to the plumose seeds of the Calotropis, an important bast 

 fibre is obtained from the stem, which is strong, fine, and lustrous. 

 These bast fibres have been sold at 4jd. per Ib. The cultivation of the 

 plant for this purpose is not very difficult. It has been stated that three 

 crops per year of half a ton to an acre each can be produced. The fibres 

 have some resemblance to China grass in their length, silkiness, and rich 

 lustre. 



In August 1888 a patent was applied for by Mr. J. S. Lings and 

 W. E. Fairlie (11481) for the manufacture of yarns or threads from the 

 Calotropis gigantea, either alone or mixed with cotton wool. 



It is evident from the wording of the specification, particularly where 

 it says " fibrous materials," that the bast fibres obtained from the stem 

 were those intended to be used ; consequently they would rank as the 

 Ak, and not the floss fibres of Calotropis. 



Pita Fibre or Silk Grass (Ananassa, Bromeliaceae). The pita plant 

 belongs to the genus of plants known as Ananassa of the Pine Apple 

 family. It grows wild in the Brazils in the vicinity of rivers and lagoons, 

 and on the highlands below an altitude of 1500 feet. The plant 

 produces suckers which measure from 5 to 1 2 feet in height. The fibres 

 run through the entire length of the stem or leaves. The plant is a 

 Monocotyledon with a very tenacious rind. 



The mode of preparing the fibre has been described as follows : The 

 Indians place the stalks upon a slab and scrape off the back of the bark 

 (which carries the filaments) with the sharp end of a split bamboo. It is 

 a slow and laborious process, which yields on an average not more than 

 1 Ib. of clean fibre per day to each man or woman. The Caribs soak the 

 stalks in water until the bark becomes partially decomposed, when it can 

 be rubbed off quite easily ; but this process is said to injure the strength 

 of the fibre. In recent years many attempts have been made by 

 foreigners to extract the pita fibre mechanically, and many kinds of 

 machines have been invented for that purpose. Grants of territory and 

 exclusive privileges have been obtained from the Government of Honduras 

 to work the pita fields, and large sums have been expended in planting 

 machinery and other preparatory works. In every instance such attempts 

 have failed, owing entirely to the fact that no machine or process has yet 

 been invented that will abstract the fibre from the pita plant on a scale 

 sufficiently large to make it profitable. 



The fibres have been used for thread for sewing boots, nets, fish-lines, 

 halters, and some of the best kinds of cordage. The most beautiful 



