BRUSH AND MAT MATERIALS. 



161 



Low as prices commenced, they have seen a further shrinkage, though 

 not to any considerable extent. They now stand at, per lb., No. 0, 9d. ; 

 No. 1, 6d. ; No. 2, 2f d. ; No. 3, 1 Jd. Consumption has been decreased 

 by reason of Palmyra fibre being to a certain extent used in the form of 

 an adulterant or substitute for some purposes. Qualities have shown a 

 marked falling off compared with a few years ago. Bahia Piassava has 

 remained dull of sale. Compared with competing contemporary fibres 



Fig. 107. Italian whisk. 



it is still out of price, and prospects are that it cannot resume anything 

 approaching its former volume of trade and importance of position until 

 cost recedes to something approaching old values, say, 10 per ton down 

 from present range. African Piassava has been subject to considerable 

 vicissitude of price, being determined entirely by imports, and these 

 have been most irregular both in quantity and quality, and during the 

 past few months have been excessively large, and values of the leading 



11 



