22 



NOTES OX THE PERMANENT EXHIBITION OF ALGERIAN 



following table will show the gradual increase in the exports of cotton from 

 Algeria to France since 1852 : — Quantity exported in 



1852 4,303 kilos. 



1853 18,932 „ 



1854 85,710 „ 



1857 93,170 kilos. 



1858 104,357 „ 



In 1852 the cotton fields covered a space of 45 hectares (112 acres), 

 giving employment to 109 persons, while in 1858 they occupied 2,058 

 hectares (5,145 acres), cultivated by 1,095 persons. A great drawback, 

 however, has still to be overcome, and tbat is, the price of production, 

 which exceeds at present that of the cotton sent us by America ; but this 

 arises, in a great measure, from its being in the hands of small fanners, who 

 do not possess sufficient means to work the plantations on a proper scale ; 

 and large capitalists, or powerful companies, embarking into it, would not 

 meet with the same difficulty. 



Of wool very fine specimens are shown by several colonists, and princi- 

 pally by M. Du Pre St. Maur, who possesses an estate of 2,500 hectares, 

 cultivated hi a manner which might serve as a pattern to others. It was this 

 gentleman who first introduced the Merino sheep into Algeria ; and through 

 this and the crossings with the Berber, or native breed, some very fine wool 

 is produced, principally in the province of Oram In this class may be ranged 

 a beautiful cloth, manufactured from camel hair, byM. Davin, who re- 

 ceived a gold medal for it. It is very light and warm, and has almost the 

 softness of fur. It appears that this fabric is in great favour among the Arabs, 

 who prefer it to any other material. The climate of Algeria is particularly 

 well suited to the silk-worm ; it has escaped there the disease which 

 created such ravages lately in France and Italy. Some rough silk is 

 exhibited, and also some manufactures from it to show the quality, which 

 seems good. The production has, however, been hitherto rather limited, 

 but is gradually extending. Messrs. Chazel and Eeidon, who have 

 established a silk mill, worked by steam, on the banks of the Oued-Kniss, 

 received a gold medal as an encouragement. A very beautiful vegetable 

 silk is also exhibited, which is extracted from the fibres of the Asclepias 

 volubills. 



Of flax and hemp there is a great variety principally from the province 

 of Constantine. Some of the finest specimens have been produced by seeds 

 imported from Riga. There is, besides, a vast number of textile fibres, ex- 

 tracted from various trees and plants, the principal of which are the dwarf 

 palm (Chamozrops huvrilis),a most prolific tree, which produces cloth, cordage, 

 paper, tow, a sort of vegetable wool, and hair ; the white nettle (Urlica 

 nivea), which gives a very fine thread ; the agave, or aloe ; divers sorts of 

 Yuccas ; Indian hemp {Cannabis indica"), and various other plants, indigenous 

 to the soil of Algeria. Paper pulp is also obtained from two plants called 

 Diss, and Alfa, which grow Avild in great abundance. 



Among the rich collection of icoods exhibited, the most beautiful is, un- 



