162 TEXTILE FIBRES. 



line, Grand Bassa, have been brought to from 11 to 19 per ton. 

 Para Piassava continues of diminished importance. Prices run from 35 

 to 45 per ton, according to quality, but they are only retained to that 

 level by the speculative position. Madagascar Piassava. Trade is very 

 small in consequence of absence of supplies, and the same cause has 

 driven prices up inordinately. Current values, say, 30 to 45 per ton. 

 Prospects good if supplies keep moderate. Raffia fibre has been a better 

 market, with closing values at 40 to 42 per ton. Stocks are moderate 

 and prospects fair. Coir Yarn. The year opened, in face of the stocks 

 and large consignments which had come forward, very dull and quiet, 

 but gradually improved towards the spring, and on it becoming known 

 that there had been a partial failure of the monsoon prices steadily 

 stiffened for all descriptions and closed firm, showing a rise from 

 January 1 of 1, 10s. to 2 per ton, and stocks being considerably 

 depleted there is every prospect of these prices being maintained. Coir 

 fibre was dull and neglected during the early part, consequent on large 

 consignments and consumers being fairly filled, but, again, the partial 

 failure of the monsoon has made fibre scarce, and the market closes with 

 some demand at quite 2 to 3 per ton rise compared with the com- 

 mencement of this year. Coir rope was fairly active during the early 

 part, and later on Government orders having to be filled, prices for the 

 bigger sizes have considerably hardened, and the market has practically 

 been cleared of all foreign rope at some 1 to 2 per ton rise, and the 

 article is still in demand. Mattress fibre has been a disappointing 

 article, with little fluctuation in prices, all forward contracts having been 

 fulfilled. There is a heavy stock, and prices remain without change." 



Animal Bristles. The bristles and hair obtained from the skins of 

 animals have been much used in brush-making, but those intended for 

 the use of artists, designers, and for certain surgical operations by 



medical men, require to be of the finest and most pliable texture. 

 The principal animals upon which we depend for bristles are the 



Badger, Bear, Hog, Sable, and Squirrel. 



Badger, American (Meles Labradoricus). The hairs of the Badger 



are used largely for shaving brushes. 



The skins of the Badger are imported in bales from Leipsic. After 



washing and drying, they are cut into strips of 2 or 3 inches wide. 



The hairs are sorted out and the wool or downy ones are retained ; 



the former are used for the shaving brushes, and the downy ones for 



other special kinds. 



The hairs obtained from the skins of the English Badger (Meles 



vulgaris) are used for similar purposes. In Dec. 1901, dressed Badger 



hair was quoted at 55 /- to 75/- per Ib. 



