It seems pretty certain that the principal uses of this fibre will be for rope-making, for the manu facture of very coarse textiles, and for paper-making, but especially the first. The tips and butt ends of the leaves should be removed before the stripping takes place, and these rejected portions would be locally avail able for paper-making. As compared with Manilla hemp for rope-making, phormium white rope, kept dry, lasts longer and wears 34 per cent.
better than Manilla rope ; but when wetted with salt water, the durability of the phormium rope is reduced 34 per cent., while that of Manilla rope is much increased. When phor mium rope is well oiled in the laying, however, it does not seem to be at all inferior to Manilla, even when exposed to sea-water. The former, when wet, is much harder and stiffer than the latter ; when dry, looser in texture. It shows greater difference of length when wet and dry, especially after being in sea-water. The fibre is rendered harsh, and otherwise injured, by treatment with alkaline solutions, chiefly owing to the destruction of its natural oil. Contrary to the opinions of many, the fibre has proved to be well suited to the manufacture of coarse textiles. The "long tow," or " toppets," obtained in preparing fibre for cordage purposes, is easy to spin, and is useful for making wool-packs, corn-sacks, &c., requiring no alteration in existing jute machinery (see Jute Manufactures); it claims the attention of the colonists, who could ship the long fibre to this country for rope-making. Fibre prepared by Thorne's process, mentioned above, has been successfully converted into coarse sheeting, towelling, and canvas, by A. K. Forbes, of Hatton Mill, Arbroath, who deserves credit for his efforts to utilize the fibre. Native-dressed fibre has been manufactured into fine damask towelling, fairly good linen, and strong Scotch sheeting. It is evident, however, that the fibre cannot compete with flax alone for fine textiles, and that its only use in this direction in this country will be for mixing with flax, to impart additional strength (see Linen Manufactures). The refuse fibre is eminently fitted for paper making, its tenacity making it suitable for bank-note paper. It might be exported to England in the form of half-stuff (see Paper).
Exports and Value.—The exports of the fibre, in 1873, amounted to 6454 tons, value 143,7991. ; 1874, 2039 tons, 37,6901.; 1875, 639 tons, 11,7421. ; 1876, 906 tons, 18,4051.; 1877, 1138 tons, 19,4571.
The value of the artiola in the London market, where it is known as "New Zealand hemp," is approximately as follows :—dressed, 201.-221. 10s. ; half-dressed, 171.-191. a ton.
Attalea funifera, Leopoldinia Piassaba.
Pimelea sp. P. elevate is not unfrequent in W. Australia. Its bark is pervaded by an extremely tenacious fibre, largely employed by the natives for their nets, fishing lines, and kindred purposes. Some are of opinion that the bark could be profitably collected for textile manufactures, if so, it is the only species of sufficiently large and gregarious growth to render the fibre oommereielly available from the wild plants. A beautiful fibre, of similar utility, ie yielded by P. exiflora, P. hyperieina, and P. pawl:flora, all found in the forest gullies of Victoria and Queensland, and the two latter also in Tasmania. On the Murray River, the natives use the bark of P. mieroeephale, a shrub of the desert.
Pinus (GEa., Waldwolle).—Exogen. For several years in Silesia, and latterly also in Thfiringer Wald, Jonkoping in Sweden, Wageningen in Holland, and other places, the needles of the pine-tree have been utilized for the production of a textile material used in underclothing as a substitute for flannel, and accredited with valuable medicinal properties. The leaf needles are first distilled with water, for the extraction of the oil contained in them. The waters are used in medicinal baths. The remaining material is treated with boiling soda solution, for the removal of the vegetable matters. The resulting fibre, equal to about 13i per cent. of the fresh needles, ie spun into yarn, and then woven. The thread resembles that of hemp. The material is largely used in Vienna and Breslau for hospital and military blankets. The fibre is also employed as a substitute for horse-hair in stuffing.
3 s Pipturus sp. div.—Exogen. P. propinquus occurs as a bush in Insular India, the South Sea Islands, and in Australia, from the north of Now South Wales, through the littoral mountains of Queensland. It yields a fibre similar to that of Bcolimeria nivea. P. velutinus, in New Caledonia, affords a very beautiful fibre for fancy textiles ; P. argentea, the Konganga, or " Queensland grass cloth plant," occurs in N. America, the'E. Indies, Sunda Islands, N. Australia, and Queensland.