13 



more deserving of attention on account of the much larger yield ift percentage of the green leaves. In 

 the above-mentioned report it is, presumably by some mistake, stated at only 5 per cent., whereas in 

 the reports of the New Zealand Commissioners it is returned at from 15 to 20 ; the difference between 

 the condition of growth in the two islands cannot be such as to affect in so great a degree the structure 

 of the leaf, i.e. development of fibre. The yield usually accepted being relatively large, and the con- 

 ditions favourable to the growth of the plant, there would appear to be good ground for a further 

 serious effort to establish a trade in Phormium. 



CEYLON. 



In this Court there were exhibited some especially fine specimens of Sanaeviera and Feurcrma fibre. 

 The latter was analysed with the following results : — 



Moisture ... ... ... 12.0 per cent. 



Hydrolysis (6) ... ... ... 11.75 " 



Cellulose ... ... ... 69.6 " 



Nitration ... ... ... 104.0 " 



Ultimate fibres. Length ... ... 3-7 mm. 



This specimen, while showing a general agreement in composition with other Monocotjledonous fibi© 

 bundles, was at the same time of superior quality. 



Coir fibre, as well as twine and rope, is an important feature of the commerce of the Colony, and 

 was well represented in the exhibits. The Kitul fibre was also shown, both in the ratv state and in the 

 form of ropes 



MAURITIUS. 



In this section we have an elaborate collection of fibres from the Botanical Gardens, interesting as 

 a collection, but. not opening up auy questions of practical import to the commerce of the Colony. 

 There are several exhibits of well-dressed Aloe fibre, in which, it is well known, the island has a well- 

 founded and increasing trade. A full account of this fibre industry, as conducted in Mauritius, is given 

 by Mr. Morris in his account already mentioned of fibre plants available iu the West Indies. Those 

 interested in the commerce of the island will no doubt find information in the present report, and in 

 that on the Indian fibres in the Exhibition about to be published, which will be equally available in 

 regard to local questions of fibre production. 



BRITISH NORTH BORNEO. 



The only fibre exhibited is the Manilla, the only one likely to be of importance in the immediate 

 future. The close proximity of the Colonies to the Phillipines, the original home of the Plantain fibre 

 industry, will necessarily induce a competitive trade, and the adoption of similar methods of preparation 

 of the fibre. At the same time it is to be hoped that the resources of the Colony will bo fully studied 

 in relation to indigenous fibrous plants. 



APPENDIX. 



I have received from Messrs. Joynson satisfactory reports upon the papers made (a) from the Bas 

 Strips, exhibited in the West African Section. They were treated by the (basic) sulphite process, and 

 bleached to a good colour. The paper was reported to be of exceptional strength, (b). From Must 

 St oc k — West Indian Sections. The paper obtained was of a yellowish colour, and of quite peculiar cha- 

 racteristics : being transparent, and at the same time taking ink well (without sizeing), as, in fact, not 

 only resembling a tracing paper in appearance, but available for such application. 



Neiv Processes. — It may not be out of place to direct attention, in the Colonies, to one or two of the 

 more important of these, which are in prominent notice here and on the Continent. 



Flax-dressing. — In this department certain new machines are making an important move. The 

 special feature of the Cardon machine, which has be^n already mentioned, i« the breaking up of the 

 wood of the stem by means of piercing pins ; these are set in frames which are disposed in pairs along 

 the first portion of the machine. 



The flax-straw, held by clamps, travels between the pins, being arrested at each pair while these 

 travel at right angles to its line of motion, meeting in the centre across the straw which is thus pierced 

 at every point; passing lastly to the second portion of the machine, the flax is lowered into a chamber, 

 in which it comes between the rapidly revolving shaking-wheels, which effectually free the fibre from 

 the comminuted wood. This improved treatment affects advantageously, not only the quantity, but the 

 quality of the fibre obtained. I quote on these points from a report from Messrs. Combe, Barbour & 

 Combe, of Belfast, with which I have been favoured : — 



" The results of our trials, and we have now made a great many, have proved to us, that from 

 exactly the same straw, about 40 per cent., more or less, increased yield of fibre is obt ained, upon that 

 scutched with the old handles." 



The reports of spinners as to the quality of the " new" flax are equally satisfactory. 



Mather- Thompson Bleaching Process. — This process, which is now well established, effects a very 

 important simplification of the treatment for the bleaching of vegetable fibres and fabrics The prin- 

 ciple of the system is the reduction of each essential treatment, alkaline hydrolysis (boiling) and whiten- 

 ing (or bleaching proper) to a single operation, rendered complete by special appliances, mechanical and 



