VALUABLE PROPERTIES OF INDIAN FIBRES. 133 
substitutes for them, he observes: “From the experiments I 
have made on all kinds of fibre, I fearlessly assert that they 
can have a cheaper and better supply of fine and coarse fibre 
from India, for rope-makers and fine spinners, than it is possible 
for them to get from any other country, and the samples 
in the Society’s rooms are a proof” (referring to his own 
and the East India House specimens then displayed there). 
“Dr. Royle gave a very correct account of the superiority in 
the strength of the Himalayan Hemp compared with that of 
Russia; but that is not the only advantage to be gained by the 
importers and consumers of Hemp.” “I have made the 
Himalayan Hemp so soft, fine, and white, that it will not only 
take the place of Petersburgh Flax—now £60 per ton, the best 
of which can only make 40s. warp yarn—but it can be used in 
place of Dutch Flax, at £80 per ton; and I speak from twenty 
years’ practical knowledge, when I say it is capable of being 
spun into 60s. warp yarn.” 
“The Rheea fibre, or Assam grass, when so prepared by 
the machines and liquid, is a finer, and, consequently, more 
valuable fibre. It is equal in strength and fineness to China 
grass, at £100 per ton.” “The Yercum, which very much 
resembles Belgian Flax, is also well calculated for prime warp 
yarns, and worth £100 per ton.” The Wuckoo nar, Mr. 
Dickson places near this in another statement. “The 
Neilgherry Nettle is a most extraordinary plant ; it is almost 
all fine fibre, and the tow is very much like the fine wool of 
sheep, and no doubt will be largely used by wool-spinners.” 
«The Madras Hemp, and Bombay and Sunn Hemps, will at 
all times command a market, when properly cleaned out, at 
£45 to £50 per ton, for twines or common purposes.” 
In another published statement (Flax Works, Grove Street, 
Deptford, April, 1854), Mr. Dickson says of— 
“Madras Hemp, valued when imported at £24 per ton : 
ewt. qr. Ib. 
Madras Hemp F : E ‘ - 23 3 
Produced by the machines: 
ewt. qr. Ib. 
Clean, long fibre, good, valued at £45 per ton 11% 
Clean tow, valued at £30 per ton é 119 
Waste F ‘ z : 0 0144 
_ 23 3 
Cost of preparation . 6s. ljd. 
