THE TECHNOLOGIST. [Sept. 1, 1865. 
90 THE FIBRES OF COMMERCE. 
which is stubborn when new, wears out soon, and when wet it is 
slimy." 
Like many of the misnomers of commerce, which are very difficult 
to correct, and which lead to sad confusion, the fibre of the wild 
plantain (Musa textilis) of the East, is commonly termed Manila hemp 
(Abaca by the Spaniards), and I am obliged, therefore, to keep to the 
term here. This so-called hemp is the material so much used for 
making strong white rope for ships. The usual mode of preparation is 
as follows : — When the stalk or stem has attained its full size, which is 
indicated by throwing out its fruit branches, it is cut close to the ground 
and the stem which will be eight or ten feet long below the leaves, again 
divided. The outer coating of the herbaceous stem is then stripped off, 
until the fibres or cellular parts are seen, when it undergoes the process 
of rotting, and after being well dried in houses and sheds, is prepared for 
market by assorting it, a task which is performed by women and children. 
That which is intended for making cloth is soaked for an hour or two 
in weak lime water, again dried and put up in bundles. 
Some enterprising American merchants have of late years almost 
monopolised the manufacture and trade of Manila rope, for which there is 
a large demand in the United States for the use of their mercantile marine. 
By the introduction of machinery the cordage has been greatly im- 
proved. The plan now adopted in the manufacture may be thus 
described : — The first floor of the factory is occupied with the dressing 
machines, three of which are cylinders of wood covered with points of 
iron two inches in length, distant from each other about one inch and a 
half. These first open the fibre which then passes to another machine 
under a cylinder of much larger diameter, of which the points (cards) 
are smaller and placed together. By these the fibre is separated into a 
fine thread and divested of the woody or refuse particles. After this 
preparation the hemp passes between two iron cylinders which com- 
presses it very strongly. From thence it is conducted to a smaller machine 
which gives the first twist, and winds it on a bobbin of about six inches 
diameter. The dimensions of the cord are increased or diminished by 
means of an iron screw which adjusts the diameter of the hole, through 
which the fibres pass, to the required size. 
The demand for Manila rope has been largely increasing and as 
much as 6,500 tons per annum are often shipped from Manila to 
Europe and America. Recently, owing to the American disturbances, 
there has been a glut of this fibre in the London market and the prices 
have fallen. 
The culture of this particular species of plantain has been carefully 
extended of late years in the Philippines and also in the northern part 
of Celebes, j 
The magnificent herbaceous plantain forms a marked feature in the 
varied and profuse vegetation of tropical countries, and possesses a very 
widely extended range. The broad leaves overhang gracefully the 
