5 243. 
copper solution might be tried ; in the case si of the iron solution even 
more may probably ‘be spid without danger to the crop. 

CCLXXII.—BRITISH NORTH BORNEO. 
The following account of the progress of planting industries in this 
Ern is taken from Mr. Consular Agent Pryor j — published 
by the i Office [1892, Annual Series, No. 1,111]. 
other planting nei There is now hope that the 
real capabilities of the country will at last receive some attention. A 
rar mpany started in London ti the early part of the year has com- 
bourhood of Sandakan for the cultivation of sugar-cane, Manila hemp, 
Liberian coffee, india-rubber creeper, cotton, and other things." 
* Manila hemp is the fibre of the stem of a sort of banana, 
textilis, which hitherto has been grown only in the Philippine Islands, 
where it is a source of great wealth to the growers, the 
and all concerned, and is the means of affording freight to a large 
number of vessels. The soil and climate of North Borneo have also 
been proved, owing to a series of experiments conducted during several 
years past, to be particularly favourable to the proper growth of the 
plant; satisfactory samples have been sent home, and the cultivation is 
now being considerably extended. Owing to the heavy taxes, &c. iu 
are being watched with much interest, as once s start rted this industry may 
M of very large proportions in tlie fut 
ambier, another thing whose growth ni is entirely confined to 
this par -A of M world, is now being tried, the Government having 
experim: mental en at the back of Sandakan ; the plants 
at — eid of the year were four months old and as large as those in the 
itlements at six months. This promise continues at the time 
of wri eaaa and the Chinese in charge say they will be able to com- 
mence boiling two or three months earlier than in Singapore.” 
At the present time Gambier is almost exclusively a monopoly of the 
Straits Settlements. An account of its production is given in the Kew 
Bulletin for 1889, pp. 247-53. The following further itiformation 
as to the progress of this riens in continuation of that given in the 
Kew Bulletin, 1892, p. 76, is n from the British North ihe 
: 1899. 
“ The Government gambier garden beyond Mengkaleenow is coming 
on very well Boiling could be commenced at once, two or three 
months sooner from the time of planting (last Se ptember) than it is 
usually attempted in Singapore; but as the number of plants is so few it 
is thought better to wait for a month or two more. 

