THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



31 



made from the fibres of the " bear grass." 

 The following extracts from letters will 

 show the importance and value of the 

 article : 



"Philadelphia, Oct. 18,^6. 

 " There is no doubt that this is of the 

 same species as manilla and sisal, and 

 has some resemblance to jute. There is 

 no more desirable article to this country, 

 than this species of hemp, and the con- 

 sumption is daily increasing, as it is ad- 

 mirably calculated for canal, river, and 

 other purposes, no tar being used, and the 

 article floating. Manilla hemp is now 

 worth $150 per ton, (2,240 pounds,) but 

 has lately risen from $137 50 to $150." 



11 Boston, Aug. 7, 1846. 



" Your favor of the 27th ultimo, with 

 samples of hemp, came duly to hand ; it 

 is handsome hemp, and we think will 

 make handsome cordage. Should you 

 get enough out to have it tried properly, 

 say one or two tons, we shall be pleased 

 to make the experiment." 



"New York, Nov. 7, 1846. 



" Dear Sir, — We owe you many apo- 

 logies for not sooner replying to your in- 

 quiries respecting samples of hemp or 

 grass. The delay has been inadvertent. 

 I hope you will excuse it. We certainly 

 think that there is no question that the 

 article will favorably compare with sisal 

 hemp, and command a price nearly equal, 

 and very possibly it may be preferred, 

 from its finer texture. The great and in- 

 creasing demand ' for sisal and manilla, 

 both of which articles this sample so 

 nearly resembles, we should consider as 

 every inducement to the external produc- 

 tion of it wherever it can be raised to 

 advantage. 



" We shall be happy to receive the 

 samples you think it probable you may 

 send us in the spring as an experiment, 

 and will endeavor to promote your object 

 to the extent of our power. 



" P. S. — Prices paid for sisal, $135 per 

 ton, (2,240 pounds.) Prices paid for ma- 

 nilla, $150 per ton. Sisal generally ran- 

 ges from $125 to $135 per ton. Manilla 

 generally ranges from $140 to $150." 



"Philadelphia, Nov. 18, 1846. 

 " Sir. — I have a good opinion in regard 

 to the cultivation of manilla hemp at the 

 South, and should like to know where 

 the sample came from you sent me a short 

 time ago, in order, as far as in my power, 

 to aid you in its growth." 



Gov. R. K. Call's Remarks.—" The 

 1 bear grass' is an evergreen, and in this 

 climate, it continues to grow during the 

 whole year, with the exception of a few 

 weeks. It may be prepared for use at 

 any season ; and, if the planter has a 

 sufficient crop, he might employ the whole 

 year in its preparation without sustaining 

 any loss from its depreciation or destruc- 

 tion by remaining too long on the ground. 

 Six months' growth will give a plant of 

 good size, and the hemp made from such 

 a plant, will be as long, and possess quite 

 as much strength, as that made from plants 

 of greater age. But it will have fewer 

 leaves, and will, therefore, produce less 

 fibre. I think it a fair estimate that the 

 'bear grass,' after it is well rooted, and in 

 good growth, will produce three full crops 

 every twenty-four months. That it will 

 require planting but once in an ordinary 

 life time, and with but little cultivation 

 will continue to produce its abundant crops 

 of five or six tons per acre. 



" Its preparation for market is as simple 

 and expeditious as its production is abun- 

 dant. This has been sufficiently tested. 

 After boiling the leaves, and putting them 

 up in small bundles of a convenient size for 

 the purpose, I have passed them through 

 an ordinary wooden sugar mill, dipping 

 them in water at each passage, until the 

 surplus matter has been removed, leaving 

 the fibres perfectly cleansed, unimpaired 

 and ready for use. 



" From the success of this experiment, 

 I am satisfied, that with a machinery and 

 boilers, which would not cost more than 

 one hundred and fifty dollars, that ten 

 hands and a pair of mules, may prepare 

 for use, at least five or six tons of hemp 

 per day." 



In concluding this letter, I will add, that 

 the bear grass grows spontaneously in all 

 the Southern States, and it can be culti- 



