125 
ALOE FIBRE IN SOMALI-LAND. 
Lieutenant-Colonel E. V. STACE to Sir E. BARING. 
SIR, Aden, January 31, 
foll 
Aloe Fibre a the Somali Coast Protectorate, my object being that, 
should there be no ee the subject might be brought to the notice 
of the various Chambers of Commerce in England, with a view to the 
of Bombay. This was sent to pe and the reports have just been 
received. I must state here that the fibre was prepared in the roughest 
and rudest manner by ignorant Somalis in the manner described in the 
accompanying copy of a memorandum which I wrote on November 22nd 
last, yet the price obtained was, I think, a very fair one, and might be 
considerably increased if the fibre were ‘properly prepare 
. The report of the Bombay Company (Limited) on the fibre sent by 
the Government of Bombay states that it was sold at the fee of 167. 10s. 
per ton. “Our London brokers valued the parcel at a 
“ would meet with a ready sale.” And again, “ This fibre compares 
“favourably with the many new types we see from various countries, 
“ which are frequently too poor in colour, or too short, brittle, and full 
“ of pith. Yours is of good strength, very nice colour ‘and length.” 
The brokers Piwan ee the fibre “all very nice colour, an 
“ strength and clea This seems a very saleable eels if 
“ once introduced. ” 
need scarcely say that the small quantity sent was very much 
against a better price being obtained ; the sale was by auction of what 
oh ans but a sam 
There are an quantities of the Aloe growing in Somali-land. 
The people themselves will do nothing towards making a trade in the 
fibre ; indeed, they have not the means to work it profitably, though 
they use it extensively themselves for ropes and other articles. Ihave 
ecimen growing here (Aden) over 7 feet in length, though I admit 
that this is exceptional, still I am reiri that the wild plant might be 
materially improved. I have no knowledge whatever myself on the 
subject, but I have thought that if the existence of the e pa th value of 
; Se. 
E. V. STACE. 
—The specimen mentioned in paragraph 3 of the attached 
memorandum, as “ sent to England,” was merely a small hand-parcel, 
The larger parcel, sent through the Government of Bombay, was the one 
reported on by the brokers, as mentioned in this letter above. 
MEMORANDUM regarding the “ Aloe” Fibre of Somali-land, 
The following is gathered from various sources in Bemis and 
ce I have never seen the fibre prepared myse 
he plant is not cut, it is pulled out of the lama sharp 
ER are cut off; the plant i is then divided in two down the centre ; 
