46 AGAVE CULTIVATED IN MADRAS TERRITORIES. 
that diminishing their size would augment their strength. 
With respect to its durability, the Committee had no expe- 
rience, but reported, that part of a coil which Mr. Webb stated 
‘had been fixed to the anchor of his boat at Ennore, and kept 
constantly under water for six months, appears to have under- 
gone no other alteration than Europe rope would have done in 
the same situation.” 
In another report made by the Commissary of Stores, Fort 
St. George, dated 27th July, 1801, on a coil of Aloe rope manu- 
factured at Seringapatam, it is stated that “ the coil of Aloe rope 
was, on its being received at the Arsenal, the 10th of June, 
immersed in a tub of water for twenty-four hours, and then 
exposed to the open air in the yard; since which date, a few 
showers of rain have fallen, after each of which the coil was 
turned ; and upon being examined and tried the 27th instant, 
it was found to be quite rotten.” From this it was inferred 
that Aloe rope will not stand wet; and it was stated that this 
was also the result of similar rope supplied to H.M.’s squadron 
then in India. (‘Madras Artillery Records’ for 1839.) 
Though nothing is so objectionable in a rope for naval pur- 
poses as inability to bear exposure to wet, the above experiments 
are inconclusive, because we are without any information 
respecting the species of Agave which was cultivated, and also 
respecting the soil and climate where it was grown, as well as 
the time which the fibre was macerated before it was separated. 
All which influence not only the strength of fibre, but its 
capability of bearing moisture. The result of the experience 
in India is, moreover, contrary to that of South America. 
The employment of the fibres of this plant seems very 
general, as it has since become widely distributed through the 
Madras Presidency. Thus, it is so employed at Masulipatam 
and at Bellary. At Cuddapah, the natives make ropes of it 
thirty cubitsin length. The plant is abundant about Madura, 
whence fibre and cordage were sent. The fibres are prepared 
by pressing the leaves between two horns and then washing 
the pulp away. The ropes are described as being manufactured 
in great abundance, and at a trifling expense; and that they 
are much used for lashing bales of calico. The fibres are also 
separated on the Malabar coast, and specimens were sent from 
the prisoners in the jail. But the most varied assortment of 
