92 
that runs down the middle of each leaf spear. The entire native popu- 
lation use the si stalk or large centre rib in all their building and 
rt [o ti 
The first joedt of mpm in Ec these leaf spears into the 
of commerce, consists the oval, with a very small sharp 
knife, of the centre ribs of Wis a spears. "These ri divide each spear in 
‘half. Each of these halves of leaf flesh are then stripped of their under 
covering, which, in the closed condition of the spear is, for the momen 
the outside. This removal is readily accomplished by making a small 
cut. across the leafy flesh above mentioned, about one inch from the 
base. fibre, which exists in the shape of a vegetable film or 
covering on the under side of the leaf spear, is pressed up and loosened 
with the knife, and, being caught between the thumb and said point, is 
Tipped off at one pull. The same thing is done with the other half of the 
spear flesh E merely reversing the same in the other hand and repeating 
the opera Practice makes the process a simple, perfect, and rapid 
- Toma can readily strip, per day, what will yield some five 
pounds of Rafia. It must be understood that the men cut the Rafia 
leaves and carry them to their homes; the women do the rest. They, 
however, rarely strip more than what would yield two pounds o 
because the fibre is partly accomplished the afterncon of 
.the same day that it is stripped from the spear flesh. 
ae eee of whitish fibre thus secured, ranging from 2 to 4 feet and 
over a spread out mats in the sun to dry in loose 
bunc n partly dry, they are knotted into one d bunches 
and spread, ally upon t e roof edges of small sheds or outhouses, to 
finish curing, and are most carefully guarded against rain or dew. In 
three days of good sun drying the Rafia is me for market 
regret to say that, owing to the cupidity of the natives and traders, 
much the larger portion is marketed after only one day's vg The 
greener the fibre the heavier the weight ; hence the temptation 
ere is no particular time for preparing, cutting, or curing Rafia. 
is a constant one, harvested to suit the wants or appetites of 
the natives, being received in the seaport towns at all times and seasons, 
weather permitting its transport, and shipped as shortly after: receipt as 
ssible e roughly stated that fully 50 per cent. of 
the ; oun g Rafia palm trees are annually destroyed in this way, and but 
for its remarkable hardiness, ready growth, and the ease with which 
it is propagated, this fact alone would mean its speedy and total ex- 
tinction. Within four years, local Malagasy laws have been promul- 
gated forbidding this terrible destruction. Yet it still exists, but in a 
surreptitious manner; or whenever they crave rum, cloth, or vazaha 
finery, for which Rafi fibre alone can be bartered. 
s one of the most staple of Madagascan products, 
finding a an even more ready market than rubber or caoutchouc. Th 
rice in Tamatave, = we mi = a ine on meis as the cost of 
putting on board in quantity is a ominal one, ranging from 5 to 9 
cents for A I Rafia while red Rafia imil} beii about 2 cents per 
pound less than the A 1 white. . . Practically, every one doing 
business in Madagascar buys —— either for speeulation, in barter for 
goods; on commission, or as agen 
