2 
said to afford a beverage of a second quality which will keep for a 
ec ee = time, 
The Board of Trade Journal [November 1890 p. 596] quotes from 
the Lagos Weekly Times an account of the fibre, and states that it 
* promises to замн: an important and valuable addition to the ex- 
*€ ports from 
It will probably bë found a useful substitute үр Piassava, an account 
of which was given in the October Bulletin for 
correspondence has taken plae between this estab- 
lishment and the Colonial ‘Office on the subjec 
COLONIAL OFFICE to Royan GARDENS, Kew. 
Sir, Downing Street, — %, — 
I Ам directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you 
despatch from the Governor of Lagos, reporting that he hid aieri 
to you, for analysis and report, a box containing 20 lbs. of bass fibre 
obtained from the Raphia vinifera. 
Lord Knutsford will be glad to be informed of the result of your ex- 
amination of the parcel in question 
m, &с. 
Ere EDWARD WINGFIELD. 
The Director, Royal Gardens, Kew. 
Sir A. MOLONEY to COLONIAL Orricr. 
nd House, Lagos, 
My Lorp, t 20, 
І wave the honour to report that there. "D go "forward by the 
t mail steamer to the Royal Gardens, Kew, a box con- 
ema 20 Ibs. of a bass fibre obtained from the Хоры vinifera ог 
wine palm of West Tropical Africa. 
2. The m I had ет prepared during my last visit to the 
— dist 
3. On its а find, ” area of supply, local preparation and uses, as also 
on its prospects as an export for which I anticipate a bright an and profit- 
able —— I have drawn up a minute with a view to = advertisement. 
og; Мәх І ask your Lordship to let the Director of the Royal 
Gardens, Т, who takes such deep interest and pie e encourage- 
ment to the development of the economic botany of our colonies, have 
a copy of this despatch, and to allow of the circulation of the minute 
among the various Chambers of Commerce 
5. I attach a copy of the notice that has locally appeared inviting the 
attention of the public to this fibre. 
I have, &с. 
(Signed) ALFRED MOLONEY, 
The Right Hon. Governor. 
Lord Enutsford, G.C.M.G., &c. 
