131 
5. Although these reports are not so encouraging as Captain Moloney 
was led to suppose from the specimens exhibited at the late Colonial and 
Indian Exhibition, they furnish useful hints as seal the character of 
coir NU essary to command ready sale in this cou 
6 
Dyer has caused the specimens of Ceylon “ bristle ” aa Ceylon s z pe 
forwarded by Messrs. Ide and Christie, to be sent direct to Captain 
cr as samples of coir fibres, which are acceptable to the London 
buyers. Other samples of fibre are enclosed in the parcel for feres 
m, &c. 
(Signed) D. Morris. 
The Hon. R. H. Meade, C.B. 
[Enclosure No. 1.] 
Messrs. IpE AND CHRISTIE to ROYAL GARDENS, Kew. 
Sm, 72, Mark Lane, London, E.C., 7th February 1889. 
Weare duly favoured with Mr. Jackson's letter of the 5th inst., and 
samples of coir from Lagos. These contait soft, half-pr Tr 2 bristle” 
fibre, used in the manufacture of brushes, m mixed w ith short or * mat " 
fibre. Such a mixture is unfortunate, and detracts pot: de aus of the 
samples, as the two kinds, being used for different purposes, have to be 
separated. a the Ceylon coir they are always kept apart, and for your 
guidance we send you T EEEE of Ceylon bristle, value 307. per ton, 
and Ceylon int value 1 
There is nothing cer in the colour or other character of the Lagos 
fibre which would justify the d egens of its commanding a ready 
demand and high prion üs Bs Governor of Lagos has been apparently 
led to believe. ini te e value the “bristle” portion of 
your samples at 151, wn bs B mat ” Suid LA 2 to Hes per ton. 
- 
(Signed) dise AND CHRISTIR. 
D. Morris, Esq., M.A., F.L.S. 
[ Enclosure No. 2.] 
Messrs. HARRISON AND JOHNSON to ROYAL GARDENS, Kew. 
4, Catherine Court, Trinity Square, London, E.C., 
Sir, 7th February 1889. 
are in receipt of your favour of the 5th instant, and also the 
sample. ‘The coir fibre you send is mixed half prepared brush ges 
mat fibre. The former if separated would no doubt find buyers 
—€— 15/. per ton, and the mat fibre would sell freely at 97. to 107. Fins 
Ehe re is one sample cupiens NE " mat vag. this is clean and 
long and would sell well at about 117. to 127. per ton. the brush 
fibre were properly combed out like de we have sent you by post, 
it would readily fetch 28/. to 327. per ton present market value, The 
samples of fibre you send are of very good length which inereases the 
value. 
We would suggest that a small sample shipment be made, you would 
then get a good idea of the value. It would be no use sending any 
fibre unless the mat and brush were kept separate. 
