NOTES ON ECONOMIC PLANTS. 295 



APPENDIX C. 



NOTES ON ECONOMIC PLANTS. 



The following Notes on Economic Plants are made with a 

 view to the encouragement of minor industries. Sufficient 

 time has not yet elapsed since the establishment of the Expe- 

 rimental Nurseries to obtain complete information, but that 

 given below may be useful in shewing the tendency towards 

 results, in the absence of more complete details. 



FIBRES. 



Mauritius Hemp (Furcrasa gigantea) continues to grow 

 with great vigour in the Nurseries, and several thousand plants 

 have been disposed of to planters for trial. The price realized 

 for good fibre is about £28 per ton in London, and if the fibre 

 can be prepared here at say 5 cents per pound, its profitable 

 cultivation is no doubt possible. 



Manila Hemp (Musa texiilis) grows well. When first 

 planted it takes longer to send up suckers than the common 

 Banana does, but once established it grows freely. 



In Manila, on good soil, the plantations are renewed only af- 

 ter a period of about 20 years. The present market value ol 

 the fibre is from £30 to £40 per ton in London, and as labour 

 is about equally as cheap in the Straits as in Manila, the plant 

 is no doubt capable of profitable cultivation in favourable 

 localities. 



Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea). — Common in a wild state 

 all over the Settlements, and grows well in ordinary soil. 

 Some attempt to utilize the plant should be made, as the fibre 

 commands a good price in the market. 



PENGUIN Hemp (Bromelia sylvestris) grows with remark- 

 able vigour. It is one of the pine-apple tribe, but the leaves 



