, 1890-09-24
SisaE Hemp.
introduction.
by
DANIEL ]. SToDDART.

1DtrOuuCIlOu.
In putting the present work of Sisaf
Hemp planting into print aud Introducing
it to the public of Jamaica [ do so with the
object of promoting, if possible, the in,
terests of this island by advising the cult
walton of the plant, considering it Dothing
less than an obligation OF mine. I shall
endeavour to put before my readers the
planting, working and everything else con-
nected with Sisal Hemp in as few words
possible and yet in as explicit a manner as.
to be fully comprehensive. When I first
landed on the shores of that great hemp.
country Yueatan, one of the States of
Mexico and saw the immense trade in
hemp, by which Il large amount OF money
is put in circulation and the fibre finding
such an immediate sale all over Europe,
but principally in the United States OF
America, the demand being so great, it
attracted very much my notice and con-
sequently claimed my attention which I
immediately gave.
The Importance of this fibre may be-
Judged when it Is known as the sole pro
ductiOlf of YucataI, and the only article Of
export
FOO much cannot be said of this valuable
plant which is the great anil only sotirce
OF wealth on the Peninsula where there
are to be seen plantations Of pure hemp,
comprising each am area OF about two.
Thousand acres. The increasing demand.
tor it all over the world is made manifest by
the number Of new plantations being opened
OUT there. There is no doubt that there
are soils in jamaica highly adapted to. the
cultivation Of SiSal' Hemp and that the
climate is identical with the tropical nature
of YuCatan. What makes me more san
guine about its success here is that some
lime ago 7 brought out u few Of the very
young plants, distributing them to friends
who planted them and they are to DE seen
now growing beautifully and sending out
suckers.
My practical experience in Yucatan' and
day and night work in connection with
this hemp, having been in the working and
management OF it myself enables me to
write fully on the matter. This small
pamphlet is especially dedicated to JamAi-
ca, with the hope that those into whose
hands it may fall will lose no time in TAX
ing up the matter and starting the Guilt
walton. AS far as its profit is concerned,
putting the expenses at the extreme and
the fibre at the lowest price in New York,
Of Al cents u pound, StSal Hemp gives q
return of about 70 per cent. In q part OF
this book will be found ii complete state
ment of the cost of working, out.turn and
details Of production, etc. An important
point is that a plantation Of hundreds of
acres producing a good deal Tor a years
CROP requires only a small ''plant of mas
chinery,' y as we'll as buildings etc. | speak
comparatively. The market for this
fire is already well established, it does
not therefore need any introductiohs but
must meet with a ready sale. I do warmly
and faithfully recommend the planting Of
this hemp'as a safe and sure investment,
there being nothing that can properly be
called risk in it's culture. Several times |
have advocated in the PAPERS the c%ultiva-
ton of Sisal Hemp, but space prevented
me giving a minute description Of It, To
remedy this aud so as to- have the public.
impressed with; the value of it T have Sc
lected this medium wherein is to be seen
all the details, which 1 trust will Prove of
some interest to my readers, who have no
doubt will agree with me in saying that
the establishment of plantations of this
sort in our Island will be a fair stride in her
agriculture. "a a1Ai
CC1AN CHAPTER I. as12 zaD
9@' = Description Of the Plant.
The Sisal Hemp plant of Yucatan, Agave'