126 
the pieces are then beaten with a stick until they become soft, The 
fibre is extracted by placing the divided plant between two pieces 
of wood, which are fastened tightly ena and the plant is pale 
through them, leaving the fibre. This is placed in the sun to dry 
for about half an hour. No water is aea s the Somalis say that that, 
blackens the fibre. The plant should sr treated as soon as possible 
after being pulled up to prevent the dryin sap. 
egarding a specimen of the fibre sent ve England (similar to that 
sent to Bombay), it was considered that the fibre should be whiter, and 
that it was-rather short; but that any quantity of the same as sent - 
would be well received, and it was valued at 217. to 227. per ton. It 
wanted ae bleaching i in the sun and washing in water, and should be 
well clea 
: Death’ . s palont fibre cleaning machine costs about 707. ; it requires 
either water-power or a 5 horse-power steam-engine of English make to 
drive it ; nee costs 1507. 
If the aloe is left lying for a day E two in the sun it ruins it; it 
should Al treated at once, and under s 
know of no water-power atin any reasonable distance of the 
coast. 
5. There appears to be any amount of aloe within reasonable distance. 
I have heard that it would be much improved by being properly culti- 
vated, such as thinned in places where it is growing too thickl 
6. Labo our is obtainable at the oo epe but the Somali is ex- 
tremely saif ia it might be necessary rt Arab labourers at 
mport 
first, though regular adsployaadnt for the Somali who swarm as idlers 
b 
about the ports, would be very desirable. 
ROYAL GARDENS, KEW, to FOREIGN OFFICE. 
SIR, Royal Ga rdens, eR, June 27, 1892. 
I AM leai by Mr. Thiselton-Dyer to inform you, in reference 
to my letter of the 29th March last, that a case emag young par 
stems, leaves, and fibre from Somali-land has been received a 
the utenant-Colonel E. V. Stace, C.B., Political. Toet and Consul 
a 
ess ant is n “Aloe” r Agave 1 like that yielding Bombay 
re. o pla nt is a Sanay eria, one species of which | 
(Sansevieria zeylanica) yields po well-known Bow-string hemp of 
India (Kew Bulletin, May 1887, pp. 1-11). The Somali-land plant is 
probably Sansev evieria Bhirenbergis e e a described in T 
The flowers aa not yet been received. The plant is enis a very 
interesting one, and its existence as a source of a valuable supply of 
fibre is a fact that will be sure to awaken uenia amongst commercial 
men in this country. 
Mr. terracing i desires hi express his thanks to the Secretary of 
State for the prompt manner in which his wishes have been met in this 
matter, and he would peenei pA ask that the obligations of Kew may 
