190 HEARINGS BEFORE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE. 
in regard to coffee cultivation. We have some additional facts in 
regard to that. ; ; 
I do want to show you one thing. Speaking of questions of fraud 
and improper methods of handling commercial affairs, here is a sample 
of Manila hemp—a sample which is much less discolored than usual. 
If you will test this fiber you will find it is almost impossible to 
break one of these fibers which has not already been weakened by 
bending [exhibits to committee]. Here is a sample which came from 
the New York market [exhibiting]. Most of this consists of an excel- 
lent first-grade quality. Its grade is the same as the first one except 
it is a little discolored by being exposed to the weather, but inside of 
this is a sample of what is known to the trade as a ‘‘ Dutchman.” 
This outside fiber is almost unbreakable. This inside fiber is as rotten 
as the poorest jute. This is of an exceedingly low grade. We found 
large quantities of this were coming into New York packed up in this 
way. The matter was brought to the attention of the Department 
and we drew up certain suggestions to the Philippine government. 
and those suggestions have been put into effect to a certain extent, 
roviding for the more careful surveillance of the export of Manila 
hora and which have materially increased the grade of hemp that 
has been imported from the Philippine Islands. 
Mr. Scorr. Is this scheme invented by our little ‘‘ brown brothers” 
or is it an American invention? . 
Mr. Covittz. It is not done by the Americans. These things are 
already in bundles before they reach the Americans. It is alleged that 
the adulterations are done by the Chinese through whose hands it 
passes. We have been unable by our representatives to make our own 
investigations in the islands. 
Mr. Hewry. How large a percentage of that bogus hemp—— 
Mr. Covitie. The percentage of this hemp is small—I suppose 10 
per cent, perhaps—but it was sufficient to throw doubt on the whole 
question of the character of the importation of manila hemp, and 
buyers in New York were threatening to go back to the Mexican 
fiber, which, during the Spanish war, had been used asa substitute for 
manila hemp, and to throw their trade toward the Central American 
fibers instead of back again to manila. 
Mr. Scorr. In what sort of packages do those fibers come? 
Mr. Covittz. I have not seen the packages. The gentleman who 
made the investigation brought back these samples. 
Mr. Scorr. They are probably haled. 
_ Mr. Covitxe. I presume so. Otherwise it would be very easy to 
inspect. 
That, gentlemen, in view of the lateness of the hour, is all I care to 
say to the committee. 
Mr. Scorr. I would like to ask if you have done anything along 
the line of introducing the culture of ramie fiber in this country? 
Mr. Covitte. We understand the character of the problem, yes. 
Ramie will grow here perfectly well. 
Mr. Henry. Is it grown here to any extent? 
Mr. Coviixz. No, it is not grown commercially at all. The diffi- 
culty in ramie plants is the extraction of fiber from the plants. It has 
to be extracted, so far as our knowledge of the case to the present 
time goes, from the green plants. When the plant is dry the fiber is 
brittle and is broken in the extraction, and no machine has yet been 
