A comparative illustration of the transitional stage of growth above referred to, showing the conversion of succulent vegetable fibrous tissue, into harsh woody fibre, may be remarked with "Asparagus," the young and green stems of which, are used as a delicacy for the table, a few weeks further growth converting them into hard woody fibre, which no amount of boiling would, or could, render palatable; the "Asparagus," indeed, has its parallel in the "Bambusa Edulis," a variety of "Bamboo," the young stems of which are eaten and considered very nourishing.
The "Bamboo," being an endogenous plant, (that is to say, growing from inside) composed mainly of fibrous tissue, combined with the ordinary sappy and other extractive matter common to all vegetable growth, the stems do not require the elaborate preparatory manipulation which is necessary to separate the fibrous, from the extraneous and woody matter, which in exogenous plants (i. e. growing from, or on the outside) must be removed, as it is only the true fibre which is useable for Textile Manufactures.
Such plants known to commerce as "Flax," "Hemp," "Jute," "Rhea," &c. &c., after having become mature, and being dried, have to undergo a process of retting, or steeping, followed by scutching and heckling, in order to separate the ultimate fibres from the woody stem and bark to which, while in their normal condition, they are attached.
The cost therefore, of producing merchantable fibre from this class of plants is very considerable, and the produce or yield of fibre, to the plant cultivated, very small, that of "Flax" being computed at from 5 to 6 cwt., "Hemp" 7 cwt., and "Jute" 5 to 6 cwt. per acre, "Cotton" being much less; "Bamboo," as I will presently show, producing tons as compared with cwts. of the foregoing, and, be it noted, with far less cost for cultivation, and the subsequent preparation of the fibre.
The stems of the "Bamboo," cut young, as I propose to use them, contain from 60 to 75 per cent. of moisture; it will be obvious, therefore, that to ensure a regular and continuous supply, under economical conditions, to a central factory for the manufacture of "Paper-Stock," plantations would have to be formed contiguous thereto, as practised with "Sugar Cane," or in a similar manner to Osier beds, in England.
I have mentioned the latter, as in order to stimulate a rapid, aqueous, and sappy growth, as also to provide for the dry seasons common to hot countries, a system of irrigation would be necessary, such a system indeed being at present practised with the Sugar Cane, in Egypt, Spain, and elsewhere.
With plantations of "Sugar Cane," to which plant the "Bamboo" somewhat assimilates in character and growth, it is necessary, in order to ripen the canes and develop saccharine, to allow free ventilation to the growing plant, and thus the ground is not fully occupied; this would not be the case with "Bamboo," which should be planted and grown closely together to favour the stems shooting upwards, as practised with "Hemp" and "Flax," where fine staple of fibre is desired.
By following such a system, the stools or roots once established, a systematical and regular cropping, or cutting, would ensue, the stems being all cut down simultaneously, by sections or beds, in regular succession, numerous croppings annually would thus be obtained, and when necessary, fresh beds would be formed, the older growth being available for fuel for the manufactory.
The Sugar Cane from the time of planting, to cutting, takes from nine to twelve months to grow and mature; but even thus grown, the produce of canes (ready dressed for the mill) generally ranges from 30 to 35 tons to the acre, it sometimes exceeds 40 tons; allowing several crops or cuttings annually for the "Bamboo," it may fairly be assumed that at least this latter quantity would be obtained per acre.
Allowing 208 feet square to represent one acre; divided into twelve beds, each 96 × 26 feet, with twelve paths 96´ × 8´ 8´´ wide, and one intersecting road 208 × 16 feet wide, leaves a space for planting equal to 2496 feet, or 29,952 feet in the twelve beds; allowing the stems to be 2 feet apart, and say only 12 feet high, we have 7488 stems, which at 12 lb. each = 40 tons per acre.