t if this mode should be inconvenient, a steam engine
in addition must be obtained, of about 8 or 10-horse power; or if one
steam engine of 20-horse power were employed, it would be sufficient
for all purposes. Thirty men are required to make three tons of fibre
in a day.

_Buildings_.--A store, 100 feet long by 25 feet broad, in wood,
covered with straw, to contain the dried fibre and the presses. One
open shed of the same dimensions, covered with straw for the boilers.

_Capital required_.--It is ascertained that the following outlay will
be sufficient:--

The materials will cost L2,000
Buildings 500
Purchase of land 1,500
Working capital 1,000
------
L5,000

The estimated expense in cultivating one quarree, or 5 1-5th English
acres, in plantains, will be L30, as the work can be easily performed
by one laborer in 300 days, at 2s. sterling per day.

A quarree will produce 18 tons of mill fibre, the cost of the
preparation of which is as follows:--

For workmen's wages, soda, lime, and fuel, at L3 per ton L54
Freight to Europe at L4 per ton 72
Managers 30
Duty, insurance, office fees, &c., at L1 per ton 18
----
L174

Thus, making the total expense of producing 18 tons of fibre L174, or
L9 13s. 4d. per ton. In 1848 Manila rope, or plantain fibre of good
quality, was worth L38 per ton.

A correspondent in Jamaica, who has devoted much attention to the
subject, has furnished me with some very valuable detailed
information, the most complete and practical that has ever yet
appeared:--

_Cultivation_.--The first care of a planter in superintending the
cultivation of the banana tree, with the two-fold object of
collecting both fibre and fruit, will be to study the nature of the
tree to which he will give the preference. A number of experiments
have been made upon different species of the banana with a view of
obtaining therefrom the largest quantity and the best color of
fibre, as well as the finest fruit. Those experiments were very
tedious and minute, but were absolutely necessary, in order to
arrive a