October i, 1889.] 
THE TROPICAL AOratStlLTORlST. 
295 
a sample of it to Messrs. Ide & Christy for valuation 
and report. Of course you noticed that the speci- 
men was in a very rough state, and very indifferently 
cleaned. Hence the brokers report, which I enclose, 
is not conclusive as tj the valujof the fibre, if care- 
fully and fully cleaned, and presented at its best. In 
this, as in most flb'-es, the whole thing turns on ques- 
tions of quality and quantity, a.ul whether it can be 
placed in the market at such a price as will compete 
with fibres already wellkuown, and with an established 
reputation," Of Mr. H arrison's sample he says : — " In 
their present condition they are useless for textile or 
ropemaking purposes. The only use to which they 
could be applied in this curled up crushed state is 
for paper-making." The brokers report on Mr. Dunn's 
fibre is as follows : — " This is so imperfectly cleaned 
that the full merits of the fibre are apparently not 
disclosed, and in its present condition it would only 
be available for cordage purposes, or as an adulterant 
of, say, Manila or other white hemps of commerce. 
The fibres apart from the adherent tissue, which would 
be removed under better preparation, are of excellent 
colour, but the strength is rather disappointing as 
compared with Manila. From the different character 
of fibres obtained, from endogenous and exogenous 
plants respectively n it is always difficult to estimate 
their relative stregth otherwise than by taking a 
given weight of each, and placing them on a testing 
machine, that would properly record their breaking 
strain." 
" We estimate the value of the Gomphoearpus fibre 
in its present condition at £15 per ton, but through 
cleaning would probably enhance its value 75 to 100 
per cent. It is probable too that perfectly prepared 
fibre would find its best market as a material for 
textile purposes, as a supplement to flax, but we should 
like to see a thoroughly well-cleaned specimen before 
giving a definite opinion." 
AVith respect to length of the fibre, I may say 
that in my opinion there would be no difficulty in 
increasing it considerably, provided the plant was culti- 
vated, the specimens seut were prepared from wild 
plants, which of course are liable to branch repeatedly, 
and this would not take place if the plants were grown 
thickly together. The matter of more complete clean- 
ing must be left for further experiment. 
Urera tenax. " Umbogozembe." — This plant has now 
been specifically named, and proves to be a new species, 
but I have not heard that any person is as yet pro- 
pagating it for the purpose of extracting the fibre 
which it contains^ though I believe it would under 
favourable circumstances, be a paying industry. It 
is a perennial shrub, and is easily propagated from 
cuttings, which take root easily. Samples of fibre can 
be made by any one, but to obtain a good reliable 
report as to its value, it should be sent home in bulk, 
and not as mere samples. 
Cannabis Sp. " Native Hemp," " Iusangu." — I do not 
hear that anything has been done to produce this 
fibre in fair commercial quantities. Of its value there 
can, I think, be no doubt, and it is somewhat dis- 
appointing to find that its cultivation on a reasonable 
large scale has not yet been attempted. 
We have then three indigenous plants, the fibre of 
each of which has been favourably reported on from 
time to time, and still no one seems willing to lead 
the way in introducing an industry which could hardly 
fail eventually to give fair if not large returns, and 
to considerably swell the list of our exports. 
Fibre Machines.— In September last a trial of 
improved machines, intended chiefly for stems of 
" Ramie," or " China grass," was held in Paris, and 
Mr. D. Morris, of Kew, attended, together with " re 
presentatives from all parts of the world." Prizes 
had been offered by the French Government, and the 
entries consisted of 19 machines and 10 chemical pro- 
cesses, but on the morning of the trial only four 
machines and one chemical process were submitted to 
the jurors. Mr. Morris"s report was published in the 
Kew Bulletin for November last, and it will not be 
necessary for me to do more than quote the conclud- 
ing paragraph as follows :—" It is quito possible that 
dome machine or process will eventually solve the 
problem, but at present the exploitation of 'Kamiel, 
iu spite of years of labour, and the expenditure o f 
large sums of money upon it, cannot be said to hav 
yet emerged from the experimental stage. 1 ' 6 
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