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Bahamas fibre was submitted for examination. Mr. Briggs states, under 
date September 3rd, 1888 :—“ This material I consider equal to ver 
“importance. I consider it to be a very superior article for spinning 
“ in yarns for rope-making, and unless in bulk some ingredient should 
“ be found to counteract its apparent good qualities, it should find a 
“ready sale at the price I name.” 
is testimony is highly satisfactory, and in the United States the 
article is not less fully estimated. It is, moreover, a stable commodity 
or commerce in which serious variations of value are not to be looked 
for, and this goes to rid the work of production of uncertain and risky 
conditions, 
we have in these Islands. We were aware that the plant is independent 
of drought, and this is Mr. Stoddart’s experience. It was also believed 
in this Colony that it takes about three years after a to bring the 
pounds of fibre, and he corroborates the opinion held here that the plant 
_ thrives best on rocky and- impoverished soil, and that it is shunned by 
cattle, and consequently free from injury on this caused ae 
_ Mr. Stoddart’s estimate of production, which it is not means t 
impeach, admits of a large abatement and yet leaves the enterprise full 
of promise. Ata fair price he makes the money value of an acre ano 
The 
s, and in lots to meet the circum- 
land is obtainable on very easy terms, hates : 
. To create the largest possible — 
rm 
stances of the labouring population 
