8 
n 
moved Pom lace to place, and the idea was sr eA Apandoned 
number grown for shelter, shade, and food purposes, the subject is of 
soneiderabla importance, both to the people of India and to paper- 
maker 
IX.—PINE-APPLE FIBRE. 
(Ananas sativa.) 
note may be added here on the fibre yielded by the leaves of the 
pine-apple plant. Although not at present in commercial use, this 
fi a future of considerable importance before it. Itis finer and 
e then that yielded by c other plant and in the Phillipines, 
where the West Indian Ananas has become thoroughly naturalized, a 
beautiful fabric known as “pina cloth” is made from it. rope e of 
ee fibre 3} inches in EEPE bore a strain, at Calcutta, 
of 57 c 
There are several samples of fibre of a wild pine-apple (Bromelia 
sylvestris, Willd.) from the West Indies and Central America at Kew 
ut there is no record of their commercial v alue. A sample supposed 
brokers reported as follows :—“ Not yet in commercial use, but destined, 
“ we think, to a successful future; fine, soft, supple fibre, , Strong and 
“ good colour, ample length; say 302. per ton ‘and u upwards.’ 
The fibre of the Jamaica pinquin (Bromelia Pinguin, L.) would 
appear not to be of high value. The plant covers hundreds of acres in 
th ins and lowlands of J amaica, and an os was made some time 
“ Similar to St. Helena hemp tow, but not 80 good. We ahs ould thin 
“ 12l. to 10/. per ton the utmost value.” Several samples of this pin- 
guin fibre, from Jamaica and gleemberes eme both by hand and b 
machine, are to be seen in th 
half a ton of dried leaves in aandie ed bales, in order that paper- 
makers might be able to test them on a sufficiently large se 
D, M. 



