Exports and Value.—In 1873, the cultivation occupied 200,000-250,000 acres. It is nearly stationary, in spite of an increasing demand, the production being limited by the amount of labour available, and by the increasing attractions of sugar-growing. The exports from Manilla, in 1878, were 334,945 bales, value 703,385/. Of this quantity, 172,378 bales went to Great Britain, and 19,317 to British colonies, or altogether nearly of the whole. In the same year, Cebti shipped 124,650 piculs (of 139i lb.) ; in future, most of the Leyte hemp is likely to leave this port, instead of Manilla. Yloilo, in 1878, received 2400 piculs from other parte of the Archipelago, and shipped the whole to the United States. The distribution of the exports in 1871, was as follows :—N. America, Atlantio ports, 285,112 piculs ; Great Britain, 143,498; California, 22,500 ; Australia, 6716 ; Singapore, 2992; China, 2294 ; Europe, 640. The local consumption cannot be ascertained ; it must be very large, as this fibre principally composes the textile fabrics worn by the whole population of the Philippines. Our imports of it in 1878 were 425,866 cwt., value 553,5771.; in 1879, 340,765 Cwt., value 439,1081. It arrives in bales, measuring 3 ft. 3 in., by 1 ft. 8 in., by 1 ft. 8 in., and weighing about 2i cwt. They are carefully covered with matting made from the leaves of the plant. The value of the fibre in the London market is approximately as follows :—ordinary, 201. 108.-391. a ton ; good and fine white, 301.-661. a ten.
There are many other varieties of banana or plantain which deserve examination as to their fibre-yielding properties. Among these may be mentioned M. ensete, M. Banksii, M. Cavendishi, Basjoo (in Japan) M. violacea (in Angola), M. discolor, A rosacea, M. ornate, troglodytarum. Nettles.—Sea Bcehmeria ep. div., Laportea pustulata, Urtica ep. div.
New Zealand Flax [Hemp].—See Phormium tenax.
Nidularium [Bromelia] karatas—Mexican fibre, Silk-grass (MEx., Ixtle ; CEN. AMER.,. Pita pinuclla).—Endogen. This plant grows wild abundantly in the W. Indies, British Guiana, Honduras, Central America, and Mexico ; there are supposed to be several species or varieties, but much confusion surrounds the supposition. The plants are of a most prolific) nature, growing spontaneously iu almost all kinds of soil and climate. Cultivation in its native land is therefore extremely simple, and it is surprising that the plant has not received more attention from planters in America and our Colonies. The Indians cultivate the plant to some extent in Mexico, 1221 gardens being recorded in 1830. They generally select forest for this purpose, removing the undergrowth by cutting and burning. The roots of old plants are then set out at 5-6 ft. apart, and, at the end of a year, yield leaves fit for cutting. The leaves vary in size from 6 to 8 ft. long,
and from l to 4 in. wide, and are thin in proportion. In a wild state, the leaves are edged with thorns, but these are diminished in size and number by cultivation. The fibre contained in tho leaves varies in quality, according to age ; in young leaves, the fibre is fine and white ; with in creasing age, it becomes longer and coarser. The native implements for extracting the fibre are ex ceedingly rude—a fiat board, and a heavy iron knife. No special machine seems to have been invented for the preparation of this fibre ; but its close resemblance to the fibres of the agaves, and that of the edible pine-apple (see Ananassa sativa), would indicate the applicability of the same apparatus.
After the first crop, the leaves grow again ; but the fibre subsequently produced is short, and of bad colour. Locally, the fibre is used for bow-strings, nets, fishing-lines, ropes, mats, sacking, and clothing. After being passed over the comb or hackles of a flax mill, it has been pronounced greatly superior to Russian flax, and equal to the best Belgian, for application to the finest textile fabrics. Fibre which was useless for spinning or rope-making would probably yield very superior paper-stock. It is very likely that this fibre contributes in no small degree to the large shipments of so-called " Mexican fibre," now extensively used in lieu of bristles for brush-making, and valued at 451.-551. (and even 1601.) a ton.
The above remarks are endorsed by the beet botanical authorities ; on the other hand, Arthur Robottom, of Mincing Lane, who, though not a botanist, has seen the plants growing, and whose knowledge of fibres is aoknowledged, states that the leaves do not exceed 2 ft. in length, and that the plant is confined to Mexico, being gathered in quantity only in Zacatingas, Tula, and Plan de Amava. He adds that machinery has been introduced for separating the fibre from the leaves, but that it destroys that rigidity which gives the fibre its value for brush-making.
Nipa A native of the Eastern Archipelago, extending northwards to the Mergui River, where it is found in perfection, but becoming very rare about Moulmain. It flourishes in brackish water, and where its lower part is inundated at high tide. In the Tenasserim Provinces, the leaves are extensively used for thatching houses, for cigarette-making, and for mat making. The abundant fibre is not extracted for economic purposes. J. Fisher, of Singapore and 43, Mincing Lane, believes that the stems, weighing some 50 lb. each, would make excellent paper stuff. The local profusion of the plant makes it worthy of attention.
Ochroma Lagopus—Corkwood Cotton.—Native of W. Indies. The down of its seed capsules is fine, soft, and elastic; it is used for upholstery purposes, and has been employed in hat-making.