91 
fan-shaped leaves could, no doubt, be produced quite as long as those of 
ihe Madagascar Rafia. 
While suggesting these other sources, it would be well, heme eio 
confine attention at first to the Rafia palms, and especially: i in — of 
the fact that they form, as in the colony of Lagos, the 
vegetation over immense tracts of eountry. 
The commercial position with regard i Rafia fibre is given v below by 
Messrs. Ide and Christie. It will be noticed that particular duelo is 
drawn to the fact that Erie shipments of West African Rafia 
failed. because : strips were too short, and not — in the flat 
broad condition characteristic pr the Madag ascar fibre. Too much 
per Pier 
Messrs. IDe and CHRISTIE to ROYAL Garpens, Kew. cocog 
72, Mark Lane, London, E.C., 
DEAR Sig, 4th March 1895. 
Yours of the 2nd instant, with sample of West African Rafia, 
hand, This we have seen once or twice d and sold with diffi - 
culty, being very inferior to the Madagascar. The former is very short 
and hairy, not long and broad 2 the latter, and would - a to be 
— from much smaller leave 
return your specimen dipag; with a piece of the usual Madagascar, 
Whilst the latter is available the trade "n a: ha a — 
African at aboot he price. tities 
$i inna Chi Dit " i “(Signed)” mes ‘dad Cmusrm.- 
ei : vclit d NI Le. xi mro flle 
The. following account of the production of Rafia fibre has been 
published in the United States’ Consular. Reports: for. April 1894. 
It w Mapesgese? by Mr. Edw. Telfair pisi" the. United Staten; Consul 
at Tam i 
` iif Palm Fibre. 
‚natives cut. ink new leaves from the tree after they have obtained a 
height of some seven feet, and have jus a ee A, to spread or.open. 
Two new leaves always sprout out Manes usly from each. tree and 
from the same sheath. ` In appearance and gracefulness, a fully — 
Rafia palm leaf is ad between the leaf. of the cocoanut palm and 
the plume of the ost rich. 
After removal from the tree the leaves are separated, the leaf spears 
or feathers being cut away from the oti leaf stalk or large centre 
producers of Rafia fibre, because they are the main consumers of the hy 
products, making their finer fish nets from the small centre rib or spine 
