APPENDICES. 401 



Dr. Cooke reports on it as follows (from Uganda speci- 

 mens) : " No. 11 — This is a strong fibre and worth about 

 £16 pp* ton. No. 12 — This might be worth about £20 per 

 ton." 



Mr. T. Christy reports as follows on specimens kindly 

 sent to the coast for me by Mr. T. Watson, of Kibwezi : 

 " This is a fairly well cleaned fibre, but might be much 

 brighter and better ; it is worth £'17 to £18 per ton." 



The plant is extremely common in the thorn-tree desert, 

 about Torn and as far as Kibwezi and Ukambani. It is 

 there called " Makonge," or " M'bwau." It is also common 

 throughout the Victoria region and Albert Edward, where 

 it is called " Ngongwe." 



The difficulty lies in preparation. Probably a suitable 

 machine composed of a series of toothed rollers revolving 

 in a stream of water, would enable it to be more rapidly 

 and cheaply prepared than it is at present. I regard this 

 as opening up a legitimate prospect of success. The plant 

 could be cultivated in enormous quantities, without any 

 difficulty, and the price is quite high enough to cover all 

 expenses. It would be advisable for the Government 

 official in Ukambane to be instructed to make careful 

 experiments in preparation, and send home a trial ship- 

 ment of some 20 tons. 



Hyphaene fibre. — Mr. T. Christy reports as follows : — "If 

 it is required for paper, every end where it is joined on to 

 the stem must be cut off, because it has a formation of wax 

 that crops up all through a paper wdien made with it. 

 For hats and bags it is not well liked because it is found to 

 be so short, and has so many ends and joins." 

 The plant is found commonly in East Africa. 

 Makonge madogo. — Mr. T. Christy says : — " This bundle 

 arrived in bad order, not well cleaned, and was not strong, 

 so no price could be fixed for it over £9 a ton." 



The Ukambane name is " Kiongwa." The plant is, I 

 think, common and, probably, should be tried again, as 

 export might be possible. 



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