356 ENCOURAGEMENT TO COLLECT THE RHEEA FIBRES. 
A. Thompson, of the firm of Thompson and Co., rope-makers, 
of Calcutta, says of it, that it is all that can be desired for 
either canvas or lines, and only requires to be known to be 
generally used for that purpose.” 
« Having ascertained in the most satisfactory manner that the 
fibres in question are possessed of the requisite degree of 
strength, and the Rheea fibre of fineness in addition, the next 
point to determine is how to make their good qualities so 
known in the market, that the fibres may not be condemned 
as new things and of no value. I am informed by the best 
judges, that, having taken the best means to determine the real 
value of the articles, they must next be sent into the market 
for three or four years in sufficient quantities to attract the 
notice of the best manufacturers; and for this purpose I am told 
that from ten to twenty tons annually would be sufficient: 
others say twice a year, but this in the case of India would be 
needlessly troublesome. The time, however, is extremely 
favorable for such an experiment, from the high price of 
Russian Hemp, which I am told will not come down to its 
ordinary price for two years, if the supply of money from this 
country is stopped for even this season.” 
‘The next difficulty is to induce the natives of the districts 
containing these valuable fibres to extend their ordinary culti- 
vation of the Rheea or of the Hemp, or to collect the Wild 
Rheea in increased quantities, and to prepare them all as care- 
fully as possible for the English market. The officiating Com- 
missioner of Revenue in Assam recommends that, as the culture 
of the Rheea fibre is sufficiently well understood, ‘the best 
way to encourage its extension would be to secure to the ryots 
a sure market at remunerating prices.’ Capt. Dalton, Col- 
lector of Debrooghur, states, ‘ that the best method would be 
for Government to offer a premium of so much a ton on all that 
is produced for three or four years.’ Both recommendations 
might be united in one, if the officers who take so zealous an 
interest in the improvement of their districts were authorised 
to purchase (unless they find individuals willing to do so) from 
ten to twenty tons of these fibres in their respective districts, 
taking care that they were as carefully and cleanly prepared as 
possible, and as closely resembling as possible the specimens of 
Petersburgh Hemp which Mr, W. Cotton has been good enough 
