The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-10-21
Gao. D. ALLEN, Esq.
Key WEST, Fla, September "a, 1885.

KEY WEST, (Fay) September "a, 1855
SR have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
of the 22d inst requesting my views botany Nc Of
the agav and particularly the adaptation of the soil and
climate of the southern coasts and keys of this State for
its production.
My opportunity for obtaining information concerning
this genus of plants in addition what may be learned
from books has been residence this place for five years
during which time have observed the plants in every
stage Of their existence and from gentlemen from Yucatn
and those who have visited that country and from citizens
from different sections Of this State Of whom have made
special inquiries concerning the culture growth and hab-
tude OF the plants and my experiments during the past
year, made with view of engaging in the culture of The
plants and preparation of their fbrcs.
The results of these Investigations which win guide mo
in my own operations, communicate with pleasure for
the information of those who may be disposed engage
in the enterprises and should they prove beneficial our
State country shall be happy to have contributed to
their advancement
The genus Of plants known as the Agave Americana or
American Aloe evergreen Indigenous plants or inside
growers belonging to the order Liliacuo, lily family
of this genus we have at present growing in this State
four species, viz; indigenous and three exotic The
species called Heneken in Yucaan from the leaves Of
which the Sisa hemp is obtained is Of importance
than either Of the Others and will speak of that more
particularly This Species which is indigenous to Yucatan
and Central America consists OF plants with stalk which
surrounded with long, narrow, succulent green leaves
which slightly and terminate with thorn at
the apex and join the stalk in similar and
rangement to the leaves of the pine apple have
leaves which six and half feet long and inches
wide, and confident that they be produced eight
| feet long better soil with proper culture
The syoody fJres veins of the leaf ramify and cons
tute the skeleton frame work Of the leaf running par
ae with its length and diminishing with its size towards
its apex and is from about three and third TO four per
/ cent of its weight when in a green state
The pulp is heshy and adheres firmly to the fibre in
| dry leaf
The Juice is gummy, acrid and saccharine, and bse
the hands when much exposed to it during the heat Of the
day 1t acts slightly iron, aud is sufficiently acid
redden ltmus paper and will form laher with water
and has been used substitute for soap It also possess
bleaching properties and it more abundant du
| ring wet than dry season.
Tho analysis of the leaves by NJ Lcnable which my
observations induce me to believe be accurate gives ian
acrid volatile OIL gumresnous principle, gnin salts Of
potassa and lime and silica"
! The gum-resn is nearly orsque soluble in water.
/ 1t throws up its four stalk when from five TO
years old, which draws its support from the leaves ex
hausting them of their sap after which they wither and
soon become dry and hard. When leaves have been
pruned from the plant this stalk grows with great rapd
ty and attans height of about thirty feet but is osow
er growth and dminutve size in proportion the plant
has been pruned.
1t propagated by suckers which spring from the roots
Of which each plant will ordinarily throw up twenty
more commencing when the plant is from two to three
years old by Seeding plants which terminate in the
seed envelope whilst attached to the parent plant and
grow to be from three TO six inches long before falling
These will take root and grow when they fall
come in contact with the ground Each plant will produce
several hundreds Of these when pruning has taken place.
but when previously pruned the seed form very impe
fectly.
In fha ofla IN pss
lime and sand, and good soil. Sterile soils contain but
little potash which is essential for vigorous growth Of
the plant
The land should be sufficiently elevated to be free from
the immediate influence of water All of the lands
the southern coasts and keys which have sufficient soil
and elevation to produce healthy growth of and
plants which do not affect saline marshy grounds
well adapted for the culture of the agave.
The plants affect dry rather than wet soils in their
tive state Stephens and Norman each speak of having
found them growing the roofs of ruined buildings in
Yucatan
They will grow on very poor soil, but not rapidly
nor to so large size as rich soils.
The climate required is tropical nearly to be
excmp. from heavy ross 1t has been cultivated
fully far north Indian river the east coast and
Manatu the west coast Of this State
In planting suckers from the preferable seed
ling plants, they start from large root and conse-
quently have vigorous growth and of the same
age fnnch st0uer plant tan tue seeding. They can 90
set in any ordinary weather An drought would
likely inure plants recently set but those which have
become well rooted save to retard their growth
would place the plants in about eight feet apart
and the plants six feet This will allow sufficient space for
the leaves to expand freely and for smokers be
returned to supply the place of the parent plants at
turty OF the latter. The only attention required after
planting is to keep the ground sufficiently free from bush
and weeds TO allow the young plants to grow freely,
though they will grow without any attention Int not so
rapidly After the suckers spring up they should be
moved except such necessary keep the ground
well stocked
Seeding plant natures in six seven years good
soil sucker, from root that has been transpaned
10 five The fibre Of ts full strength when the leaf has
attained its full size and becomes brittle after the
Towering of the plant The lower leaves will attain their
full size when the plant is from to four years old and
should then be cut and the remaining leaves win grow
more rapidly, and to larger size in consequence Of the
pruning When the hower-stsk shows itself it should be
cut, and the upper leaves which otherwise small viii
become Of good size Some three or four cuttings had
better be made from each plantcutting all leaves about
year after the first cutting which have become
far inclined from the stalk be horizontal or dropping
and the final within few months after the ower-stak
shows ITSELF
From plant cut eighty weight leaves at the time the
hower-salk was beginning to up; from them OBJ
tanned pounds 10 ounces of fibre some thirty or
of the lower leaves had become dry worthless and the
upper leaves quite small Had the plant properly
pruned at least ~ pounds OF fibre could have been made
f-m.- &.