













longest time for the maturing of the plant, and it then yields an annual 
crop, without further care, for 12 or 14 years. I do not approve o 
forcing the crop, and immature cuttings are to be specially deprecated. 
_ The fibre is at its best after due time has been given for its growth, and 
unwise methods will be vhi dealt ids by the Government in the 
ighest interests x the Col There is much yet to be learned in 
it fem, kat in which it now appears a reduction may be made. The 
quantity of one hundred thousand acres may be pranga into cultiva- 
tion without strain on our present resources. The lan t, being con- 
the - a n or has set 
8 
s outside Pues and the progress of the Calas be consequently 
retarded. It would be diffieult to assign a limit to the future advance 
i the Colony from the growth of this remarkable industry. "Though the 
land provisionally assigned to fibre cultivation (one hundred thousand 
if the markets of the time shall admit of its profitable disposal. 
generally thought that, from the excellence of the fibre, it will find its 
way into other fields for. its use besides rope-making, and recent experi- 
which it may have to conten 


af 
A 
highly important question of labour is well guarded, and the whole . 
ip i re, that i c 'than any 
known “fibre of qual T and it may be inferred that it will hold its — 
own at least against the influence of any probable competition with 
ae sg 


