H.—22

6

of 1891 did not come up to expectation. There was also a decrease of the hemp crop in 1891, especially in the province of Orel, the principal district where this fibre is cultivated. The crop in 1890 was 12,306 tons; in 1891, 7,338 tons. There is every appearance of decline in the Eussian hemp trade. The marked decrease in the hemp crop has also caused local prices to stiffen. The Eiga merchants pay strict attention to hemp which has been properly treated. (Extract from Eeport by H.M. Consul at Bogota, Mr. H. T. Wheeler, 30tb September, 1891.) Into Columbia were imported in 1890 hemp and linen goods to the amount of 3,129,0931b. (Extract from Eeport by H.M. Vice-Consul at Nisch, Mr. E. D. G. Macdonald, 18th March, 1889.) Servia imports hemp from Great Britain, Austro-Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey, Germany, and Italy. Hemp fetches 6-J-d. per kilo. Hemp seed and cordage are also imported. (Extract from Eeport of H.M. Consul-General at Vienna, Mr. G. Nathan, 17th April, 1891.) In 1890 Austro-Hungary imported hemp to the value of £54.617. an increase of £8,750 over 1889. (Extract from Eeport of Sir G. F. Bonham, at the Hague, 23rd July, 1891.) In the Netherlands, in 1889, there was an increase in imported hemp to the amount of £27,169, and a decrease of £55,583 in exported hemp, although it is not subject to duty. (Extracts from Eeports of H.M. Consuls at various places in Italy, through the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava, Eome, 20th February, 1891, and 28th February, 1892; also Sir D. E. Colnaghi, Florence, 14th December, 1891.) In Ttaly the export of hemp is about equal to half produced in the country. The figures for 1890 were 726,544cwt. Carded hemp is also exported to a moderate extent. Great Britain and Germany are the chief consumers. Cordage is also exported. In 1890 into Venice were imported 9,230 tons oj hemp, value £265,835 —an excess over 1889. In 1891 Italy imported flax, hemp, and jute to the value of £966,222. (Extract from Eeport of H.M. Consul at Bucharest, Mr. A. G. Vansittart, sth February, 1892.) The amount of hemp grown in Eoumania is not sufficient for its requirements. The tariff provided for an import duty on the fibre, but this was suspended, and the suspension has been renewed from time to time in the interest of the rope factories. The extent of land under hemp cultivation in 1889-90 was 26,676 acres, yielding 250,099 bushels, or nine bushels to the acre. (Extract from Eeports of H.M. Consuls at Algiers, Mr. E. L. Playfair, 7th March, 1891 ; and Mr. E. W. Bonham, Calais, 17th March, 1891.) In 1889 into Algiers rope to the value of over £7,000 was imported. The Alfa fibre is exported in large quantities from Algiers. In 1890, 71,854,944 kilos, an increase of 4,886,063 on 1889, almost entirely to the United Kingdom. Manila hemp is exempt from duty in France: 427 tons were imported into France in 1890, an increase over 1889. (Extract from Eeporfc of H.M. Consul at Caracas, Mr. 11. L. Boulton, 2nd May, 1891.) In 1890 New York imported 372,398 bales of hemp, value £1,511,926 —a great decrease on the previous year. (Extract from Eeport of H.M. Consuls at Stockholm, Mr. F. Hay-Newton, 4th July, 1890; and Mr. A. S. McGregor, Christiania, 2nd May, 1891.) Sweden and Norway. —ln 1889 hemp to the value of £14,070, as compared with £10,940 in 1888, was imported into Stockholm. Twenty tons of cordage was imported in 1889-90. (Extract from Eeport of H.M. Acting Consul-General, Mr. I. H. Sadler, at Guatemala, 15th July, 1889.) Eamie was three years ago introduced into Guatemala, and more than 600,000 shoots distributed for cultivation, but exportation of the fibre has not met with satisfactory results. (Extract from Eeport of H.M. Consul, through Mr. F. Pakenham, Buenos Ayres, 14th February, 1892.) In Paraguay there is a fibre called Ibira, a species of Caraguata Bromelia, which as yet has been unsuccessful, owing to cost and difficulty of separating the fibre from the leaves. The flowers have been sent to Kew, with a view to determine their exact species. The plant abounds and grows naturally in every part of the republic. (Extract from Eeport of H.M. Consul, through Mr. Victor Drummond, Munich, 25th November, 1891.) In Bavaria hemp is cultivated and rope-making carried on, but trade is decreasing owing to powerful English Competition. (Extract from Eeport of H.M. Consul, Mr. G. H. Portal, Zanzibar, 18th November, 1891.) From 16th October, 1890, to 17th August, 1891, 3,245 bales of coir were imported into Zanzibar, also thirty-two bundles of hemp rope, and fifteen bundles of twine.