Excerpts: The indigenous or uncultivated species of plants producing bast fiber in the United States form an interesting group in the fiber series. They are the subject of constant inquiry, as the masses of their filaments, disintegrated and semi-bleached on the parent stalk by the winter storms often attract the attention of the farmer, who, regarding his discovery as new, and considering it the source of a valuable, undeveloped industry, writes the Department to learn the name and history of the species. For the most part the species under consideration belong to three large families of plants: the Malvaceae; of which the cotton plant is a member; the Asclepidaceae, and the Leguminosae. The malvaceous species are the most numerous, and possibly the most widely distributed, their fiber possessing fair strength, comparing with jute, rather than with flax and hemp, though whiter in color than the former. These I would consider as "jute substitutes," while the species belonging to the two other families, and which give stronger fiber, may be termed "hemp substitutes,” and are, therefore, the more valuable. What will it cost to grow an acre of stalks, and what will be the expense of stripping and cleaning the fiber? Until these questions can be satisfactorily answered, the cultivation of the fiber must be considered as still in the experimental stage, and it would be unwise to go into the culture expecting sure remuneration. The object of this report, then, is twofold: First, to call attention to American fiber plants that are classed as weeds in the botanies, and which may some day be grown industrially, and, secondly, to give in condensed form their history, uses, etc., for the benefit of the many inquirers who, regarding them of possible value, may wish to know more concerning them.