A. 
exu. —MAURITIUS HEMP MACHINES. 
The abject d Mauritius uu has biu discussed already i in the 
Kew Bulletin (March 1887, p. 8). Since that time considerablo 
interest has been taken in India and the Colonies in the produetion of 
fibres suitable for rope and twine making, for which of late years there 
F 
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has been a PONE demani E In connexion with v ope 
n — an ir 
ain fibre machines, more or less eae tivo, 
are in use in Yucatan in i the production of Sisal hemp, yielded by 
. one or more varieties of Agave rigida. It is very probable that some 
_of these machines could be successfully introduced into other countries 
Where Agave plants are grown for fibre [see Kew ae March 
. 1887, pp. 3-8; March 1889, pp. 57-61 ; and October 1889, 254]. 
PEE the ease of Mauritius hemp we learn that the fibre hiele, locally 
known as grattes or scrapers, which have been generally in use in that 
island for many years, are manufactured in the Colony, These are 
aves of = plant are very 
: í igida var. Sisalana 
e ' received lately at Kew from the Bahamas, there i is little doubt that the 
 grattes or fibre machines as now used in Mauritius, or with some slight 
modifications, could also be used in the treatment ‘of Agave leaves, In 
. any ease it was very desirable to obtain exact particulars of the con- 
. struction and capabilities of the Mauritius dinehilis es. They app ear, so far, 
_ to fully meet the requirements of the Mauritius planters, à and, moreover, 
HR i have been adopted after careful trial with other machines which 
the Government of bape er and they are published in the Kew 
j et class of people interested in the subject 
 Botát Ganvess, Kiwi to COLONIAL OFFICE, 
: Sm. oyal Gardens, Kew, 6th November 1889, 
: (f AM desired by Ate "P lictor Dyer to inform you that the high 
prices. now ruling for white rope fibres have stimulated inquir in 
Per to their origin and ine and numerous applications have 
* . 
.. the Aloés vert (Furcrea gigantea). This fibre is known in com 
e successful machine bas. be found eapable of MUR the fibre on a 
commercial scale. Information as regards the nature and working of 
4 sueh a machine is just dee; a matter. of considerable interest, 
Prem ve of an application being made to the Government o 
such information ; and it w would be convenient. if me informatio 
by the 
Bulletin with the view of placing the information within teach of a 
; e aware a i éatitiderablo industry has arisen in Mauritius. 
. during the last six or seven years in extracting fibre from the leaves of 
merce — 
E Mauritius hemp, and it is regularly quoted in London prices current. - 
success of the industry in Mauritius indicates that a tolerably _ 
4, Mr. Thiselton Dyer would be glad. if the Secretary of Sta te would p 
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