220 



[September, 1912. 



fication is correct. The Congress was of opinion that the cultivation of 

 this species was too limited, and the available figures too contradictory, 

 to admit of valid conclusions as to its value. 



Manila Hemp. 



Experiments made in Java with Manila hemp (Abaca) have in some 

 cases given very good results, though the fibre is not of such 

 fine quality as the better sorts of Mvsa texilis from the 

 Philippines. The cultivation is not profitable except where cheap 

 transport and cheap hand labour is available, nor where the production 

 falls below 850 lbs, of dry fibre per acre. In Java, Abaca requires a loose 

 soil, rich in humus, not more than 1,600 feet above sea level. Under 

 favourable conditions the production may reach \\ tons of dry fibre 

 per acre, lnterplanting with Manila hemp is not to be recommended. 

 If Manila hemp is the chief product an estate of less than 450 

 acres is not remunerative, but as a secondary product, 90 acres will 

 pay. For an estate of 900 acres with a capital of 335,000 rupees, the 

 cost of upkeep will be about 54 rupees per acre, and the cost of 

 harvesting and putting on the market in Europe 125 rupees. Taking 

 the value of Manila hemp in Holland at 380 rupees per ton, this would 

 yield a profit of 5 per cent, with the minimum yield of 850 lbs. per acre, 

 which would be increased to 20 per cent, with a yield of 1,700 lbs. per acre. 



Pineapple Fibre, 



Favourable results have been obtained with this fibre in the Philip- 

 pines The demand for it is irregular and there is no fixed market for it, 

 but it possesses good characters which make it of value for special pur- 

 poses. Experimental results, however, are not yet available. The Con- 

 gress considered it suitable for native cultivation. The following figures, 

 relating to the manufacture of fibre on a small scale, were furnished. 

 Pineapple leaves, bought from the natives in Sumatra, cost 20 cents per 

 1U0 kilogrammes and yield 20 per cent, of dry fibre. The value of this in 

 Europe is 30 to 35 cents. 



Kapok. 



Java produces more Kapok than any other country, but true Kapok 

 (from Eriodendron anfractuosum) is largely adulterated with that from 

 Bombax. There are few plantations, the trees being chiefly planted by 

 the natives, or along estate roads as a secondary product. The largest 

 plantation produces 500,000 to 650,000 lbs. of Kapok per annum, Speci- 

 mens of fabric woven entirely from Kapok were exhibited, but as 

 the price of Kapok is higher than that of cotton these were rather 

 of the nature of a curiosity than a commercial possibility. The 

 Congress was of opinion that Kapok was a profitable side-product 

 for the native cultivator, but though it could be made to pay as the 

 sole product of an estate, the return per acre was generally small. The 

 cultivation of Kapok was recommended on coffee and cacao estates. 

 The demand for this fibre steadily increases, and there is no danger 

 of over-production. 



Ramie, 



Experiments with Ramie have been made in the Dutch Colonies, 

 especially Sumatra, and excellent fibre has been produced ; but the culti- 

 vation has proved too costly and the results have never shown a profit. 



Coir. 



The report on this product illustrates the limitations of the Congress. 

 The manufacture of coir on a large scale for export has not yet been 



