The Fibrous Plants of Dominica. 307 
when they seed, and shortly after die. They are shrubs 
three or four feet high, and f to an inch dia. of trunk. 
Their cultivation is easy, and the quality of the fibre is very 
good, but unfortunately each plant has to be destroyed 
to obtain its fibre, which is the inside bark ; this has to be 
taken before the plant seeds. They are at present growing 
quite wild. The fibre is made into ropes by the natives. 
I regret that I am not able to exhibit any of this valuable 
fibre, for valuable I feel quite sure it would prove to be. 
The following are those that I exhibit : — » 
1st. The Fibre of the Manilla. This plant now grows 
in several parts of the Island, though not cultivated ex- 
tensively. Indeed, I do not know of any estates that 
have started its culture. It is easily established. The 
plant resembles the plantain, growing to the height 
of 7 or 8 ft. of stem ; its growth is rapid, and fibre 
would be got from plants of one year old. The 
fibre now exhibited is about half the quantity that 
one tree will produce. Like the Banana, it sends 
out shoots, or slips from the rootstock ; therefore, 
the whole of each stem may be reduced to fibre without 
in any way affecting its means of propagation. 
2nd. The fibre of the Lapiette, or Dagger plant. The 
Lapiette is an Aloe, and of slow growth ; it would require 
to be about five years old before fibre could be got from 
it, but would continue yielding for about 3 years, and 
would yield between 30 or 40 leaves a year. The fibre 
now exhibited was obtained from eight leaves, and is 
arranged to show the quantity of fibre that each leaf 
will give. Like all Aloes it sends out a flowering stalk 
from the centre of the plant. The removal of its leaves 
to convert into fibre does not therefore interfere with 
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