THE PLANT.1TI^ a:S^D BANAJfA. 



325 



v^alk, Tvitli a mill, boiling-house and drying ground, it will be 

 necessary to fix upon new land with plenty of moisture, and flat if 

 possible, in order that there may be no difficidty in makiDg roads 

 to carry the trees ; Avhilst a deep river traversing the land, where 

 there is no tide or danger of salt water — where facility would be 

 afforded in making the basins wherein to wash the fibre ; where a 

 sea port would be near at hand for shipping the produce — where 

 workmen, provisions, and fuel would be readily obtained, and 

 where the climate is particularly healthy, should be especially 

 sought after. 



The plantain grows in profusion between the tropics in all parts 

 of the world ; but as it is an object to have the London market 

 available for the prepared fibre, the following places may be men- 

 tioned as best calculated to produce a good and constant supply, 

 viz : — the AYest India Colonies, the British Colonies in Africa, the 

 South xlmerican Eepublics, along the Mosquito shore, and other 

 places on the Continent of America, includmg Porto Kico, Hay ti, 

 and Cuba. The advantages to the paper manufacturer in employ- 

 ing the prepared fibre instead of rags, will be numerous, for the 

 fibre is equal in texture, clean, and aromatic ; whilst rags are dirty, 

 full of vermin, and very often pestilential. 



A large stock of the plantain can always be secured, without 

 fear of its being injured by keeping. The paper will be superior 

 to that made of rags, and the process of making it will be more 

 economical, inasmuch as the sorting of the material will not be re- 

 quired. Another advantage is, that a new article of commerce 

 will be opened for the benefit of the colonial shipping interests, 

 and a stimulus wdl be given to the cultivation of a fruit which is 

 the favorite food of large masses of the population. 



The following is a "specification" of articles requisite for 

 making three tens of prepared fibre in a day : — 



Four wooden boilers lined with lead, in the form of coolers, 7 

 feet deep by 6 in diameter. One hydraulic press, from 400 to 500 

 tons. One stout screw press, to compress the fibre before it is sub- 

 mitted to the hydraulic press. One iron mill wdth horizontal 

 cylinders. Six waggons ; twenty mules. Utensils, such as spatulas, 

 cutlasses, hoe9,rakes, &c. &c. One lever, to take out the fibre from 

 the boilers. One steam boiler, equal to 12-horse power, to steam 

 the four wooden boilers. 



It being very desirable that the works should be in the im- 

 mediate neighbourhood of a river, the machinery should be worked 

 by water-power ; but if this mode should be inconvenient, a steam 

 engine in addition must be obtained, of about 8 or 10-horse 

 power ; or if one steam engine of 20-horse power were employed, 

 it would be sufiicient for all purposes. Thirty men are required 

 to make three tons of fibre in a day. 



Buildings. — A store, 100 feet long by 25 feet broad, in wood, 

 covered with straw, to contain the dried fibre and the presses. One 

 open shed of the same dimensions, covered vvith straw for the 

 boilers. 



