170 [Assembly 



CHINA GRASS CLOTH. 



The following from the supplement of the Hongkong Register, 

 No. 42, on the subject of China Grass Cloth has been forwarded by 

 our correspondent for the benefit of the Institute. As it refers to a 

 new staple that maj perhaps be advantageously introduced into our 

 country, it is thought worthy a place in the annual report. 



CHINA GRASS CLOTH. 



Glancing our eyes over the scientific periodicals received by the 

 last mail, we observe that some degree of attention has lately been 

 bestowed in England on the textile fabric commonly known as the 

 China Grass Cloth. Attempts have been made at Leeds to manu- 

 facture cloth from the raw material worked up with an equal pro- 

 portion of sheep's wool. The experiment is yet too much in its in- 

 fancy to admit of its success or otherwise being pronounced upon with 

 certainty, but it is said that one ot the greatest difficulties has been 

 overcome, namely, the possibility of felting. Mr. Horsfall, a manu- 

 facturer at Leeds, appears to be taking considerable interest in the 

 matter, and is endeavoring to collect every information relative to 

 " this new and valuable article of importation;" amongst other par- 

 ticulars, as to the quantity consumed in China, whether the local 

 consumption is equal to the present production, so that in case there 

 was a large export trade, it would be necessary to grow more than 

 is at present cultivated. " It is well known," he observes, " that 

 little credit can be given to statements made by the Chinese them- 

 selves of the production or consumption of an article in general use 

 by them, but it is generally known to foreign merchants resident in 

 China, that this grass is consumed by the vast population in im- 

 mense quantities, and, in its various degrees of quality, may be found 

 in almost every description of fabric, in the largest cables of their 

 junks, and even in the choicest textures of clothmg worn by the 

 luxurious classes." 



Mr. Horsfall has obtained a few particulars from several respecta- 

 ble merchants in China, regarding the habits of the plant which 



