PROBABLE COST OF FIBRE IN INDIA. 85 
bast-rope, is sold for the same sum, that is, for one rupee the 
maund, or for about three shillings per cwt. 
As the above Shaw or ast of an unknown plant is sold at so 
cheap a rate, as well as the other basts sent from Arracan to 
the Exhibition of 1851, even after some preparation, there is 
no reason why Plantain fibre might not be sent cheaply 
into market. I have no doubt that it would very soon 
command a price equal to its real value, as a material for paper- 
making, for cordage, or for textile fabrics. The fibre might be 
collected in situations where the plant is already cultivated, in 
gardens, or where it grows wild, and its stems not turned to 
any account. Or it might be cultivated in fields on its own 
account, either with or without other crops, such as Pan or 
Piper Betle, or Ginger, Turmeric, &c. The fruit in its fresh 
state, near towns, or in a preserved state, or converted into 
meal, ought to pay all the expenses of, and afford some profit 
on the culture. The stems and leaves would thus be obtained 
at a minimum of cost—that is, simply of carriage. 
Indeed, if the crushing mill were not of too cumbrous 
a nature, it might be brought into the vicinity of the field, in 
the same way that the natives of India construct a sugar-mill 
and boiler in the immediate vicinity of where the Date tree is 
grown or the Sugar-cane cultivated. A mill, consisting of the 
rollers of a sugar-mill or an enlarged churka, with an Archi- 
medean screw, or with cog-wheels, or with bands, to which mo- 
tion is given by bullocks, as practised in various parts of India, 
would probably be sufficiently effective, and certainly economical. 
The separation of the different qualities of fibre, with the wash- 
ing, combing or heckling, and drying, might at first all be per- 
formed by hand, where labour is.so cheap. If all the fibrous 
matter, or the combings or tow only, should be required for 
conversion into half-stuff for paper-makers, nothing is more 
effective, and at the same time so economical, as the Dhenkee 
of India. To this attention has been recently called by Mr. 
Henley (‘Journ. of Soc. of Arts,’ vol. ii, p. 486), and which, 
as he describes, ‘resembles in principle our European tilt- 
hammer.” ‘Its cost would be—erected in place—engineers, 
foundations, and all charges included— three shillings ; and this 
charge supposes the more than usually heavy machine employed 
