FIBRE PLANTS OF INDIA. 



183 



becomes so soft and fine, and retains its strength, that it is 

 worth £100 per ton. 



Nalgery Nettle.— -This is an extraordinary plant, it is 

 almost all fibre as there is little or no waste in preparing it ? 

 the shorts or tow resemble sheep's wool and will do well to 

 mix with that article ; the long fibre being fine, it is worth 

 from £70 to £80 per ton. 



Wild Reeea from Assam.— -This is not so strong, but 

 equally fine fibre. The Pine Apple, Yercum, Wucknoo-nor, 

 Plain tain, and Alloe fibres are all made softer and more 

 valuable by the machines, but they are only fit for rope and 

 twine makers. See Dr. Soyle's testimonial : — 



' 1 East India House, 

 " Feb. 28th, 1854. 

 " Sir, — I have received the specimens of East India fibres 

 which you have been good enough to put through your 

 machines and liquid. The effect is marvellous on many of 

 them, and I feel from what I have seen, that your manage- 

 ment must be admirable, to convert such ugly rough looking 

 fibres into silky ? hair-like material. The other Flax fibres I 

 have also looked at and much admire. There is a great 

 abundance of fibres in India well worthy the attention of 

 merchants. 



' ' Your obedient servant, 



"J. F. ROYLE. 



"Mr. J. H. Dickson, 



' ' Machine shop and Flax Works, 

 " Grove Street, Deptford." 



The specimens alluded to by Dr. Royle, were the first Rheea 

 and other fibres that I had from him to prepare on my 

 machines. 



I had from twenty-five to thirty engineers and pattern 

 makers at ivork from Nov. 1854 to Nov. 1855, making my 



