150 
The report speaks of 4,100 acres being already planted with 
2,500,000 plants, but it states that there are also 1,300,000 plants in 
nurseries, Thich: being in course of growth, adds 50 per cent. to the 
active cultivation, making an aggregate of over 6,000 acres. Plants 
are now kept much longer i in nurseries to lessen the cost of weeding, 
ch is an expensive operation, and annually attended to after the 
plants are set out in the fields. 
There has been some question as to the time to bring the plantings 
to Saatuivity, but four years is now the accepted period, while plants 
retained in the nurseries, as above Akid, will mature in three years. 
There is but little to add to former reports on this enterprise, which has 
passed out of the experimental stage and will not probably present any 
new features of interest until exports of fibre begin, which will be, 
on a moderate scale, in 1892, then Aeae annually into proportions 
of increasing importance. 
The value of the fibre, like that of other producte, will, of course, be 
subject to market conditions from time to time, but in the natural order 
of things it will ever be the main export, and, regarding all the sur- 
rounding circumstances, it is difficult to see how can fail to pay 
the fibre well ; on the process is wasteful, and the correction of this 
mplished. ith s 
stake, we must pee inventive genius will, be ound equal to the 
The treatment is by a solution of crude petroleum, and this 
Government are now in communication with the Professor. If the 
results meet our requirements, a most important end will be attained, 
whioh will have the further advantage of enabling small cultivators to 
dress their own leaves instead of being compelled to sell them at a loss 
to a large neighbouring planter, who is able to procure a machine. 
e process is applicable to other and most valuable interests in this 
colony. Many thousands of tons of pine-apple leaves are now annually 
left to waste. The fibre commands a high price fori 607. to 80/. a ton, 
the tender fibre without injury. The pr oposed mode would seem to 
meet this difficulty, as all strain or friction is avoided, and the result 
an article of much value, adding substantially to the returns of pine- 
apple cultivation, and this process Snes be ies aren to the growing crop. 
It is understood that the same soluti y be used many times, and, if 
present hopes are realised, the Doa. will be admitted free of the 
duty now imposed. 
