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250 3 
AN INQUIRY INTO VEGETABLE FIBRES 
AVAILABLE FOR TEXTILE FABRICS. 
BY H. SHERWOOD. 
Continued from page 150 
G addition to fibres which have been noticed, there are 
also others which have been supposed to be suitable 
for textile fabrics: we allude expressly to Mudar fibre, and 
Sisal hemp. Mudar especially has been highly spoken of. 
It is of Indian growth, and, in its uncleansed state possesses 
enormous strength, which fits it well for cordage. But it 
appears to possess very few of the properties which are 
necessary ina fibre to be used for textile fabrics. It is 
built up of tender (though not brittle) and excessively fine 
cells into which it is with difficulty separated. These are 
not more than a quarter of an inch in length, and are less 
brilliant than those of pine-apple fibre. When the rough 
fibre is cleansed from loose vegetable matter, it looses much 
of its strength, and breaks short and dead. It separates 
sufficiently to admit of its being spun into heavy yarns, 
suitable for such purposes as sailcloths, ducks, &c., but 
would never be a favourite fibre for even these uses. Its 
utility, whichhas been so muchlauded, appears exaggerated. 
This arises probably from the fibre having been examined 
and proved only in the raw state. It possesses in a marked 
degree, the peculiarity of colouring to a bright primrose, 
under the action of soaps and alkalis, even when much 
cleansed. It seems admirably adapted for all felting pur- 
poses, and would produce, under proper modes of reducing 
to pulp, papers ofthe finest and highest descriptions. Tothese 
modes we may afterwards revert. The fibre can doubtless 
be obtained at a suitable price for this use. Regarding the 
plant ina three-fold light, as a producer of a fine silky 
down of a useful length, of a true gutta-percha, and of an 
excellent paper fibre, there is probably abundant scope 
for its special cultivation with profit. 
Agave Americana, or Sisal hemp—This fibre possesses 
great strength, is well adapted for rope making, being similar 
to Manilla. It can be divided in a similar manner to pine- 
apple fibre, though not to so great a degree. It has beenused 
in a similar manner for making a kind of muslin; but to be 
used for any description of goods spun into yarns is impos- 
sible, through not possessing properties which fit it for 
spinning. It appears most adapted as a substitute for 
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