45 
Fibre . — The iibre of Mauritius hemp is extracted from the leaves 
by simply pounding and beating the leaves with water and washing 
the fibre so extracted or by machinery. The first method is used 
by natives of India where the plant is largely grown, and the fibre 
is sent home under the name of Bombay Hemp. It is of very in- 
ferior quality. « 
A number of machines more or less suitable have been invented 
for the extraction of Mauritius hemp, one of the earliest and best 
known was Death's machine. If, however, was not altogether satis- 
factory. and the Hogan Machine which has been lately mentioned 
in the Bulletin seems to be a more satisfactory working machine. 
Very excellent samples of the fibre of F. gigantca were exhibited 
at the Agricultural Show last year prepared by this machine. 
Formerly there was a factory and plantation of Fourcroya at 
Pulau Battam, South of Singapore, where Death’s machine was 
used. It turned out good samples of the lietnp, but prices were then 
low and the death of the manager put an end to the estate. The 
juice of the leaves is very corrosive, and acts on iron, but is said to 
produce less effect on cast iron, and none on brass and copper, ft 
is very irritating to the hands and India rubber gloves are required 
in manufacturing the fibre. 
Dodge gives the out-turn of fibre from leaves of F. cubmsis at 
from 2, os to 3. f 5 per cent of green leaves. In Jamaica (Dr. Morris) 
3664 ibs. green leaves gave 28 lbs. green iibre weighing jl lbs. when 
dry. This works out at 2.05 per cent of the green leaf. Mr. 
SCHIRMER in the table of comparison of fibres published below, 
obtained 8.06 per cent wet fibre which when dry gave 2.69 per cent. 
The fibre is white strong and bright somewhat thicker than Mur- 
va, and is much in request for bags, cordage, carpets and the like. 
Its value is approximately £28 per ton, when of good quality. Re- 
cent values will be found in recent numbers of the Bulletin . 
Mauritius hemp is undoubtedly a plant, well suited for cultivation 
m the Malay Peninsula. It is very easy of cultivation requiring verv 
little expenditure and no great amount of labour. It is easily pro- 
pagated, and gives a very fair proportion of fibre from the leaves, 
indeed, it will be seen from the table annexed that it is only ap- 
proached in this by Karatas, and gives double or more than double 
what can be obtained from Manila hemp (abaca), common plantain 
and pineapple. It is easy to work and constantly in demand. 
1 here can be therefore no reason why this cultivation should not 
be re-introduced on a large scale and with the suitable machine now 
in use, might give a very good return, either as a permanent cultiva- 
tion or as a catch crop while rubber is growing. In the latter case 
n planted round and through the estate along the paths and borders 
it would also act as a protective hedge against the w ild beasts which 
attack the young rubber plants. — Editor. 
6/S? 
