The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1891-11-10

| 'SNoiN - NOtJ N"luauIo duulGlOI
10 our national resources.
| 1t is stated IN the article we have
indicated that ramle fibre is in
great demand, with but little avail.
able in the market. The State oi
Vera Cruz (Mexicol produces one
half of that now being sent into
market. There is a large cash
prize offered by the Mexican Gov.
ernment, but the trials lately made
in decorticating aud de-gumming
were not considered satisfactory
Under favorable circumstances,
seven crops in the year is stated to
be the average in Central America.
1t is, however, to Sisal hemp that
we more particularly wish to call
the attention of any possessor of
apparently hopelessly uncultivable
land.
The American aloe or century
plant (Agave Amerlcana) yields the
fibre commonly known as Sisal
hemp, which is, says our authority,
undoubtedly the best known and
most favorably considered of the
American fibre products.
This plant will grow in the most
barren places, on honey-comb rock
and on arid sands; it will flourish
on rocky hillsides where the
withered vegetation tells of very
sparse rainfall" and will produce
profitable crop on land abandoned
and barren.
Other peculiarities of this plant
are that it requires no blowing or
manuring, it has no insect or other
animal enemies; fences are not re-
quired, for hogs, cattle, etc., all give
Sisal a wide berth.
1t is a perpetual crop when once
ready to cnt.
1t will last from fifteen to twen-
5y-fve years without replanting |
according to the nature of soil and
but it requires three years
before it is ready for cutting; all
hat it asks of the cultivator is that |
t be placed where is the hottest
sun and the poorest soil. "An I'M
shaded rocky hillside is an ideal
ocation it will flourish and send
'ut myriads of suckers where there
seems to be no soil whatever.
In the West Indies and in Yucca
an it is placed during any month
If the year though the rainy sea-
on is usually preferred. The only
are that it requires besides that to
'e taken in cutting for the market,
5 to avoid an undue and exhaust
ng growth of suckers, and to pre-
ent its sending up the long flower
talk which is invariably the pre-
ursor of death, no matter what
be age of the plant.
These are details of the simplest
haracter and may be easily mas
cred by the most Indifferent farm
and.
Sisal takes its name from a small
eaport town on the northwest
ngle of the peninsula of Yucatan
here it was first made use of and
hence it was first exported, and
here it has now converted yearly
efcits to a handsome revenue. 1t
completely changing the aspect
{ some of the barest Bahama islets
nd thanks to the judgment and
nergy of the present governor
nd his predecessor the annual in
ONE of the Bahamas generally is
early doubled in the last few
ears by the export of sisal.
This fibre requires decortieation
ut not being of so fine or beautiful
nature as ramie is much more
asily prepared for the rougher,
parser uses to which it is put, it
lnnot be any but a friendly rival,
: rather a humble companion to
le more dainty ramie, indeed one
light almost make a fence of the
ne to keep cattle or other in
aders from field or plantation of
le other.