546 FIBRES 



submerged in boiling water for some time, being afterwards 

 bleached by sulphuring, then dried first in the shade and sub- 

 sequently in the sun. At the present time the "straw" sells in 

 its native country at from ^ to f of a dollar (say, 2s. to 2s. 9d.) per 

 Ib , the price having advanced considerably in recent years owing 

 to the increased popularity of Panama hats in Europe. Some of 

 the higher grade hats, being valued for fineness of fibre and ex- 

 cellent workmanship, commands as high as 5 each, some even 

 fetching much higher prices. The Carludovica plant has been 

 introduced into Peradeniya Gardens in 1866. It grows luxuriantly 

 in a moderately moist, loose loamy soil, and prefers light shade, 

 but the latter is not essential. A hot humid climate is indispens- 

 able. 



Jippi-jappa Hats, which are similar to the Panama article, 

 are made from the leaves of Carludovica Jnuiaicensis, a plant which 

 closely resembles the preceding species. 



Piassava Fibre or African Bass. The fibre obtained by 

 retting, and then beating, from the stems of the fronds of Raphia 

 vinifera forms a valuable product in Liberia and other parts of 

 W. tropical Africa, where the palm is indigenous. The fibre, which 

 is used chiefly in making brushes, brooms, sweeping machines, etc., 

 is usually valued at about 18 to 20 per ton in England. 

 Over 3,000 tons are exported annually from Liberia alone. 



Ramie; Rhea-fibre or China-Grass. (Boehmeria nivea. Urti- 

 caceae). A perennial shrub of the Nettle family, 5 to 6 ft. high, 

 with large heart-shaped leaves which are greyish-white beneath, 

 indigenous to tropical and sub-tropical Asia. From the inner 

 bark of the stems is obtained the rhea fibre of commerce, one of 

 the most valuable of textile fibres; it is pure white, of a silky 

 lustre, and is used in the manufacture of the finest linen, in- 

 candescent gas mantles, etc. The plant is easily grown, thrives 

 best in a loamy, alluvial or humous soil up to 2,000 or 3,000 ft., 

 and requires either a moist climate or irrigated land. No shade 

 is necessary once the plants are established. These are readily 

 propagated by division of the root-stock or by cuttings; they may 

 also be raised from seed, which is very small. The soil being dug 

 or ploughed to a depth of 7 or 8 inches, the plants may be 

 planted about 2 by 3^ ft. apart, in rows. A small crop of stems may 

 be obtained in eight to ten months from the time of planting, and 

 afterwards a yield of 3 or 4 cuttings a year. The production of straight 

 clean unbranching stems is essential, as these furnish the best fibre. 



