Exported to Europe and Canada from January 1st to dale Males 16.730 3,826 9,682 



Stock on hand, January 1st, Importers and Speculators 10,501 4,79b' 7,000 



Deliveries since January 1st, New York and Boston ... " 177,500 18:1,568 158.883 



" past 30 days ... ... " 23.190 17,607 21,584 



Deliveries lor Consumption for years .... " — 227,821 190.730 



l*i ices current, Oct. 31 ... ... Per Pound 5Ac. norn. 9£<z9£c. 8c. 



Maiket very strong. Holders for both spot and shipment have been withdrawn from the market." — 

 (Ide 4" Christie s Circular.) 



Aoave vivlpaua, Linn. 



Aloe Fibre (Bombay) No. 25. 

 Native of Central America. 



An agave with a short stem, on which (in rich soil) viviparous buds are produced; the leaves are 

 creel. It grows on dry stony soil. 



It is doubtful what plant produces Manila Aloe Fibre, No. 18. 



" Aloe Fibre. — Manila — All stocks cleared — 16s. to 23s. Nothing offered distant. Bombay is 

 enquired for, but holders having raised limits £3 to £4 per ton, no transactions have taken place. 



Stock in Liverpool: Bombay, 1st Nov., 1890 6.910 bales." — (Lie 4* Cftris/ie's Circular.) 



Ai.oe Fibre. See Agave vivipara, 

 Attai.ea FUNIFERA, Mart. 



Bafaia Piassava Fibre, No. 8. 

 Native of Brazil. 



The Piassava is a lofty palm, with large, pinnate leaves. The genus Attalea is distinguished by 

 the nuts containing 3 cells with aseediu each. The " Coquillu Nuts" are very hard, and are turned for 

 handles of umbrellas, &o. 



The fibre is derived from the decay of the spathe which enclosed the young leaves. It is used for 

 ropes, brooms, &c. 



" Bahvn Fiastaca — We have received from Bahia, under date 9th October, the following : — Pias- 

 sava. — Owing to high prices demanded by sellers and poor quality 'here has not been much dbln-v, but 

 barely good has fetched 5$250 to 4$400, and medium 4$500 per 15 kilos The sales arj estimated at 

 about 220 ion. Market very firm, and Storks about 3U0 tons 



Prime straight clean 5Us. to 55s (stood fair 45s to 50s. 



Ordinary 35s. to 38s. Low to common 35s. to 38s " 



(Ide and Christie's Circular). 



IiCTHMERIA NIVEA, Hook & Am. 



China grass. No. 30. 

 Rhea fibre ribbons from India. No. 31. 

 Prepared Rhea fibre (Indian prepared.) No. 32. 

 Prepared Ramie (Intermediate stage.) No 33. 

 Prepared Ramie (Final stage, 'Sliver'.) No. 34. 

 Native ot Southern Asia. 



The plant belongs to the nettle tribe (Urticaca',) aud grows best in rich, fertile soil with plenty of 

 water. 



The fibre, obtained from the young shoots is one of the strongest, and most beautiful. " It is "•lossy 

 tough and lasting, combining to some extent the appearance of silk with, the strength of fiax.'' (Muel- 

 ler.) No machine or process has yet been devised by which the fibre may be extracted easily and cheaply. 

 The fibre is contained in the bark which surround a hard woody core. It is easy enough to strip off the 

 bark in " ribbons", but a resinous substance becomes hard, and complicates the process of extraction. 

 "Ill 1871 a reward of £5,000 was offered by the Indian Government for a good extracting machine for 

 this fibre; but although several competitors came for ward, the prize was awarded to no one." (Watt.) 

 There were trial competitions carried on at + he Paris Exhibition, but with no satisfactory result. 



"China Grass. — Spot values 31s. to 35s.; little available 



"Rhea. — Stocks exhausted." [In September: 17s. 6d. the quotation."] 



{Ide and Christie's Circular.) 



Cannabis sativa, Linn. 



Italian Hemp, No. 20. 

 Prussian Hemp, No. 21. 

 Russian Hemp Yam, No. 22. 

 Native of Asia. 



The Hemp plant is an annual growing, to a hight of 4 to 10 feet. It belongs to the Nettle family 

 (Urticaceai.) 



It is possessed of narcotic properties, and in India the dried plant is smoked under the name of 

 Gunjah, and pounded in water to make a drink under the name of Bhang. 



A resin exudes from the plant, and is known as Churras. In small quantities it produces excite- 

 ment, and in increasing and continued doses, delirium, catalepsy and insanity. 



The fruit (commonly known as hemp-seed) contains a single oily seed, which yields on compression 

 the well known hemp-oil. 



Ihe bark contains the fibre which makes the plant so valuable. Good well drained, dampish soil 

 is required for its cultivation. Russia and Poland produce very largo quantities, but the Italian is 

 considered superior. To produce the best fibre the seed is sown close, which prevents branching. 



