1.46 COMMEKCIAL BOTANY. 



but distinctly superior to the latter in many respects, and 

 more particularly in strength. It is of good length, and 

 well cleaned. If this fibre is capable of being produced in 

 large quantities, there is a very wide fi.eld open to it com- 

 mercially. Its market value would be regulated by that of 

 jute, but in our opinion it would always command a higher 

 price. At today's currencies it would sell at £16 per ton 

 in London. We do not think the minimum price would 

 ever fall below .£12 ; and if the jute market made a further 

 advance, this Bolobolo fibre might realise £20. If this fibre 

 could be prepared of a whiter colour, it would prove still 

 more acceptable ; but even as it is, we should be very 

 glad to see large quantities placed on this market, where 

 they would sell readily.'' 



Under the name of Bombay Aloe Fibre a sample of a 

 white fibre was received at the Kew Museum at the close of 

 1888. It was imperfectly prepared, and the price obtained 

 for it in the London market was exceptionally low. The 

 botanical source of this fibre being unknown, application 

 was made by Kew to the India OflSce to obtain from Bom- 

 bay plants or material to enable it to be identified, when it 

 proved to be obtained from Agave vivipara, a plant closely 

 allied to the common American Aloe. A quantity of about 

 200 tons was received in the London market in 1889, the 

 prices quoted for which were £12 per ton for good quality 

 and £5 for common. The fibre could only be used for 

 ropes. The subject is fully treated of in the Kew Bulletin 

 for March, 1890. 



