10 



Hemp, Bombay. See Crotalaria juncea. 

 Hemp, Italian. See (Cannabis sativa. 

 Hemp, Manila. See Musa textilis. 

 Hemp, Mauritius. See Furcroza gigantea. 

 Hemp, Russian. See Cannabis sativa. 

 Hemp, Sisal. See Agave vigida. 

 Hemp, Sunn. See Crotalaria juucea. 

 Jute. See Corchorus capsularis. 

 Jute, China. See Abutilon Avicennw. 



Leopoldinia Piassaba, Wallace. 



Para Piassava No. 9. 



This palm forms large forests on the plains between the Rio Negro and Orinoco rivers. It grows 

 to a height of 15 to 40 feet s*~d has large pinnate leaves. 



[wuz> " The Indians collect the fruit in large quantities, and by burning and washing, extract a floury 

 substance, which they use as a substitute for salt." (Wallace). It is singular that there is a palm in 

 Madagascar ( Areca madagascariensis ), the fruit of which is used for the same purpose. 

 JJ£ The spathe of the young leaves decays, except the fibrous part which hangs down all round, and is 

 locally known as the beard. It is a finer kind than that produced by Attalea funifera, and is used 

 for brushes and brooms. 



" Para Piassava. — Steady. 



Prime dry ... ... nominal 65s. 



Damp ordinary ... ... 50s." 



(Idt and Christie's Circular ). 



Linum usitatissimum, Linn. 



English Flax. No. 26. 

 Russian Flax. No. 27. 



Native of Europe, and as far east as India. An annual plant with blue flowers and narrow leaves. 

 The seed is known as Linseed, and is very valuable for the oil which it yields. The cake left after 

 thejexpression of the oil is valued for feeding cattle. 



~ Flax has been cultivated from time immemorial for its linen fibre. The cultivation is more suited 

 to a temperate climate, than to the tropics. 



Tow consists of the short fibres, separated by heckling. 

 " Russian Flax is much quieter. 



Riga, K ... 21s. St. Petersburg, Pava 12 head ... 26s. 



HD ... 21s. Louga " ... 24s. 



W ... 18s. Saletsky " ... 22s. 



D ... 15s. RjefF3Crown ... 27s. to 28s. 



DW ... I3s. 

 English. — Steady — 50s. to 65s. 

 Italian Tow. — Slow. 



1st sort ... 23s. 2nd sort ... 20s. 3rd sort ... 17s." 



(Ide and Christie's Circular.) 



Manila Aloe. See Agave vivipara. 

 Manila Hemp. See Musa textilis. 

 Mauritius Hemp. See Furcrcea gigantea, 

 Mexican Fibre. See Agave heteracantha. 



Musa textilis, Luis Nee. 



Manila Hemp (fair current). No. 17. 

 Quilot Manila. No. 19. 

 Native of Philippine Islands. 



This plant the Abaca of the Phillippines, is very much like the Banana and Plantain, but the fruit 

 is not edible. It is in cultivation in Castleton Botanic Gardens. 



" The Abaca is cut when about one year and a half old, just before its flowering or fructification is 

 likely to appear, as afterwards the fibres are said to be weaker. If cut earlier, the fibres are said to be 

 shorter and finer. It is cut near its roots, and the leaves cut off just below their expansion. It is then 

 slit open longitudinally, and the central peduncle separated from the sheathing layers of fibres, which 

 are in fact the petioles of the leaves. Of these layers the outer are harder and stronger, and form the 

 kind of fibre called bandala which is employed in the fabrication of cordage. The inner layers consist 

 of finer fibres and yield what is called lupis and used for weaving the nipis and other more delicate 

 fibres ; while the intermediate layers are converted into what is called tupoz, of which are made web- 

 cloths and gauzes, four yards long, of different degrees of fineness. These are universally used as cloth- 

 ing; some being so fine that a garment may be enclosed in the hollow of the hand." (Royle). 



" Manila Hemp is £8 per ton dearer, with a large buying for American account, but closes very 

 quiet. 



1889. 1888. 1887. 1886. 1885. 



Receipts, &c, in Manila bales 566,000 658,000 535,000 396,000 423,000 



Shipments to U. K. and Continent " 322,000 348,000 227,000 164,000 191,000 

 « U.S. « 200,000 246,000 246,000 166,000 196,000 



