2 
Hilly land, about 200 feet to 500 feet elevation, is considered more 
suitable than low-lying land, probably on account of drainage. The 
Manila hemp plantations are situated where there is a rich volcanic 
soil, and where the climate is hot and humid with a heavy rainfall. 
The plants suffer en during drought. Although seed is produced 
second year after planting; a full crop is not obtained until the fourth 
year. The yield is then continued for 15 to 20 years, after which the 
plantation is exhausted. The stems are fit to be treated for fibre just 
ee 
then stripped or resolved into its component layers, and these are agai 
divided into strips or ribbons about 3 inches wide. Usually each eer 
or leaf-sheath is divided into three strips. The outer layers contain a 
coarser and stronger fibre than the inner, while fibre from near the 
middle is of a fine silky texture, and capab ble of being utilised without 
spinning or weaving and made into articles of dress and ornament. 
et. 
eftly “ between a blunt knife and a nerd smooth board,” which are 
attached to a light portable frame. This process, repeated several times 
if necessary, removes ali the watery tiele and pulp, and there 
remains in the hand of the operator a beautifully white and lustrous 
fibre. The fibre is e Hoe dried in the sun and afterwards packed 
in bales for shipm not properly dried or ex rain 
becomes discoloured ai loses strength. On the other hand, hemp from 
the outer layer of the stem is of a reddish colotr, but is quite sound. 
aon climate it has been known to contain not less than 40 per cent. 
of wat 
Cordage, ropes, and indeed everything made from Manila hemp can 
be easily converted into paper of excellent quality. 
The cost of establishing a Manila hemp plantation i in the a 
including cutting down forest, cleaning and planting, is about 5 
8l. per acre. This does not include the cost of the land. After this 
the yearly expense of Foaling and maintaining the plantation in full 
bearing is at the rate of 30s. to 35s. per acre. The yield during the 
uae and Leni et years is at the rate of 400 to 700 pounds of dry 
mp per a “ A lab urer Working under pressure can clean nearly 
bed. r 
be of a light and portable ten and that it should clean the fibre 
at a cheap rate, without breaking it 


