26 o 
Th£ coarseness and weakness of the fibres affe most likely 
due to imperfect cleaning* and preparation. The samples were 
too small for complete chemical examination, and owing to their 
condition the results would not have been representative of the 
behaviour and composition of the carefully prepared fibres. 
Commercial Valuation. 
The samples were submitted to commercial experts, who 
reported that the Musa sapientuni fibre was a well-grown fibre of 
*good length but totally lacking in strength, which is the most 
important quality required in fibre for rope-majking. At the 
present time, in view of the high prices ruling for fibres, it was 
valued at £28 per ton. 
The fibre of Musa malaccensis was described as a well-grown 
fibre of satisfactory colour but much drier and more brittle than 
Manila hemp. The value was estimated at about £35 per ton, 
but if the fibre were of greater strength the value would be £6 to 
£7 per ton more. 
Conclusion and Recommendations. 
These fibres appear to be well grown but not very satis- 
factorily prepared. The fibre from the wild plant, Musa 
malaccensis, appear to be the more promising. 
If greater care were taken in the extraction process, so as to 
obtain properly separated fibres of greater strength, there is little 
doubt that the products would meet with a satisfactory sale. 
(Sd.) WYNDHAM R. DUNSTAN. 
July 10, 1906. 
Notes on the Above. 
This paper will be read with interest by all who have turned 
their attention to the Malay Peninsula as a fibre producing 
country. The increased and excellent exhibits of fibres at the 
recent Agricultural Kxhibition show that some at least have their 
attention called to this industry. Banana fibre has not rarely 
been prepared in various parts of the world, and on previous 
occasions both of our wild plantains have been under experiment. 
Of these there are two common species and one rare one, 
Musa malaccensis is practically a weed in fresh cleared jungle. 
On the slopes of the Hermitage Hill in Perak, many years ago, 
I found that a large area of forest had been felled with the 
result that Musa malaccensis had sprung up like grass, one could 
hardly get through it. Here was wasting perhaps hundreds 
of tons*of fibre valued at the worst at £35 per ton. The plant is 
common and conspicuous all over Selangor and Perak, in damp 
more or less cleared forest. Round Kuala Lumpur it abounds, 
