Production, Exports, and Prices.—In the production of hemp for industrial purposes, Russia has undoubtedly the first place, her total annual yield of the fibre being estimated at 6 million poods (of 36 lb.). Italy has about 330,000 acres of land under hemp, producing 959,000 quintals (of cwt.) of fibre. France produces annually about 600,000 quintals of fibre, from about 250,000 acres. Servia is recently reported to have 34,000 acres of land under hemp cultivation. The shipments of the fibre from Riga, the chief exporter of this staple, were :—in 1874, 20,108 tons; 1877, 18,155 ; 1878, 18,963. The German exports from Konigsberg, in 1878, were 231,737 cwt. ; 1879, 399,744 cwt. (including hemp yarn). British India exported 85,207 cwt., in 1877 ; and 55,312 ewt., in 1878. Samsoun, on the Black Sea, in 1878, exported 21,950 kilo., value 6141., to France ; and 12,000 kilo., value 2401., to Turkey ; in a good year, as much as 500,000 okes (of 2.83 1h.) are shipped. Considerable quantities of hemp axe shipped from Chinese ports, chiefly for local consumption, though the length of staple of one of the varieties produced should make it valuable in European markets. The chief shipments were—from Amoy, 1818 piculs (of 1334 lb.) in 1877, 1694 in 1878; Hankow, 73,000 in 1878; Kiukiang, 3,972,615 lb. in 1878; Kiungchow, 678 pie-Ws in 1877, 214 in 1878. Our imports of the article, in 1878, were as follows:— (a) Dressed—from Italy, 24,786 cwt., value 61,9141. ; France, 4004, 50061.; other countries, 6120 10,553/. ; (b)$Undressed—Russla, 13,608 tons, 458,678/. ; Italy, 10,141, 390,230/. ; Germany, 7766, 257,448/. ; (c) Tow or Codilla—Italy, 29,906 cwt., 41,556/. ; Russia, 12,258, 16,139/. ; Germany, 12,118, 14,310/. In 1879, the quantities were :—(a) Dressed—Italy, 18,710 cwt. ; Russia, 10,663 ; Germany, 5579; other countries, 1110; (1) Undressed—Russia, 18,273 tons ; Italy, 9331; Germany, 6217; British E. Indies, 1969; other countries, 1077; (c) Tow or Codilla—Russia, 26,087 cwt.; Germany, 25,589; Italy, 24,713; other countries, 2165.
Particular care must he taken to strip the fibre in fine dry weather ; should it get wet, it is almost certain to heat, and become totally spoiled. As it arrives at the shipping port, it is assorted according to quality, and made up into bales. At Petersburg, the classification is—clean or firsts ; outshot or seconds ; half-cleaned or thirds ; and cedilla. At Riga—clean, outshot, and pass. More exactly, the labels are :—K S P, short black pass ; L S P, long black pass ; P P, Polish pass ; P A, Polish outshot; P R, Polish clean ; F P P, Polish fine pass ; F P A, Polish fine outshot ; F P R, Polish fine clean ; S F P P, Polish superior fine pass ; S F P A, Polish superior fine outshot ; S F P R, Polish superior fine clean ; M R, clean marine. The approximate relative prices in London markets are :—St. Petersburg—clean, 251.-271. a ton ; outshot, 231.-251. ; half clean, 221.-241. ; Polish, 261.-331. ; E. Indian, 141.-241.
Carludovica palmata—Panama Screw-pine (C. AMES, lip2yapa, Tortorico).—Endogen ; leaves 6-14 ft. long. This plant is particularly common iu Panama and Darien, especially in somewhat shady places ; but its geographical range extends 'from 10° N. lat. to 2° S. lat., the grass being found all along the western shores of New Grenada and Ecuador, and even at Salango. From its unexpanded young leaves, are made the celebrated Panama bate, the plaiting of which can be conducted only at night or early morning, the leaves being rendered brittle by the heat of the day.
Caryota urens—Bittool, Indian gut.—Endogen ; palm, 50-60 ft. This tree is a native of the jungles of Malabar, Bengal, Assam, Coromandel, Travancore, and Ceylon, and has been recommended for culture in Victoria. The leaves, measuring 18-20 ft. long, and 10-12 ft. wide,
contain a quantity of fibre. This is strong and durable, and will resist the action of water for a long time ; but it is liable to snap, if suddenly bent or knotted. In India, it is made into fishing lines and bowstrings ; and in Ceylon, into ropes for tying wild elephants. The woolly material found at the base of the leaves is used for caulking purposes. Since about 1860, it has been regularly shipped in increasing quantities from Colombo to this country, as a substitute for bristles in brush-making, to which purpose it seems well adapted, after being soaked in coconut- or rape oil. It is prepared by the natives, in lengths of abuut 30 in., and is exported in small bundles of about 28 lb., packed in gunny-hags. The value of the article in London markets is about 3#d. 10d. a lb. Arthur Robottom, of 43, Mincing Lane, states that the true kittool comes only from Ceylon, and that parcels received from India are of inferior quality.
Cavanillesia platanifolia—Volandero.—Exogen. This plant is found abundantly in the eastern part of the State of Panama, and in New Carthagena. The inner bark affords a fibre, much resembling Cuba bast ; it has been pointed out as a paper material, as it pulps well, bleaches readily, and makes a strong, white, opaque paper.
Celosia cristata.—Exogen ; 6 ft. Common all over Bengal, and N. India generally. It yields a strong flexible fibre, so highly esteemed that rope made of it sells at 5 times the price of jute rope.
Celtis orientalis—Indian Nettle-tree.—Exogen; tree, 15 ft. It is common all over India. The nether bark consists of numerous reticulated fibres, which some of the tribes of Assam convert into coarse textile fabrics. C. philippinensis, in the Philippines, and C. aspera and C. sinensis, in Japan, also afford useful fibres.
Chammrops excelsa.—Endogen ; palm. Common in Sindh, Afghanistan, and N. China, being largely cultivated in the' province of Chekiang. The fibres of the leaves are locally used in the manufacture of matting and cordage, and occasionally for textile fabrics.
C. humilis—Palmetto (Fa., Palmier de _brain, Crin vegetal).—Cultivated in some parts of S. Europe and N. Africa, notably by the French colonists in Algeria. The plant is particularly abundant in the Departments of Alger and Oran, especially in the dry portion of the alluvial plain of the littoral. It multiplies rapidly, and caused much trouble to agriculturists till its usefulness was recognized. The leaves furnish about 50 per cent. of fibre. A man can cut about 400 lb. of leaves per diem. The extraction of the fibre, which is a simple operation, requiring the most ordinary tools, is chiefly performed by women and children, a good day's work being 90-100 lb. of dry fibre. This is rough, coarse, woody, and brittle ; yet it finds several applications. The "light" or " green " quality has been twisted or curled in its raw state ; the " black " has been dyed with logwood and sulphate of iron. The fibre is consumed principally as a cheap substitute for hair, for upholstery purposes ; with this object, it is largely exported to France, England, Germany, and the United States. Locally, it is occasionally applied to the manufacture of cordage. It has been tried, with rags and esparto, for paper-making ; but it is reported as running a great deal to waste, and being expensive and troublesome to bleach. The exports, In 1872, were about 900 tons. The exports of "vegetable horsehair" from Algiers in 1877 were 9222 tons, and in 1878, 7678 tons; of palm-leaves, 400 tons in 1877, but only 1936 lb. in 1878.