The Lamar register., 1891-08-22
BAHAMA FIBRE.
The Future OF What Is Really . I'm.
Kind OF sisal Grass.

The Future OF What Is Really . Fine
Kind OF sisal Grass.
The wonderful developments Of mod
srn science in adapting the hitherto
worthless and in many cases despised
vegetation TO practical and really
valuable product is worthy of special
notice. A short time ago we mentioned
y new fibre produced from fax, and io5
adaptability to textile work. which
held out a new encouragement to our
farmers as well as manufacturers. Our
attention has now been called to still
another new fibre. produced from one
of the varieties of Sisal grass, growing
most abundantly in the Bahamas. and
until quite recently despised as weed
by the natives.
Its adaptation to commercial uses
and the development of the industry
Is due in a great measure to the efforts
and encouragement of the present gov
ernor of the islands. Sir Ambrose
Shea. of whom the New York Tribune
speaks in the following terms.
Sir Ambrose's record as governor of
the Bahamas promises to be historical
by reason of the remarkable develop
ment OF the islands due to his sagacity.
When he went there three years ago.
he found the inhabitants. who were
making living by fruit and spongc
culture, doing their best to extirpate
fibrous plant which overran the land.
The governor recognized in the tall.
healthy vigorous weed against which
the natives were making a vain fight.
burning it down only to have it revive,
remarkably fine Specimen of the Sisal
grass, whose cultivation in an inferior
quality in Mexico, for use in rope max
ing. had built up large fortunes in TINT
country. After an investigation of the
business in Mexico. Sir Ambrose pro-
ceeded 10 teach the people of the
Bahamas that they had been despite
fully using their best friend; and tho
cultivation and dressing by machinery
was established, with a government
bounty OF cent pound for exporte-
ton. to remain in effect until 1895.
The bahama plant is not to be known
to the commercial world as Sisal. but
as Bahama fibre. 1t is on the free list
of the United States, and in this couu-
try as well as Great Britain large
market is expected with confidence.
Sir Ambrose Shea. in talking 70 a
Tribune reporter. said: The Ba-
hamas are jumping. There will be a
cable from the Bahamas to Florida
within this year. Do think that this
will be regarded in America as pro-
moter of annexation? Well we are
annexed to the United States all but
politically. There is more American
business in the Bahamas than any
other. and we are very glad to see
Americans.
This Bahama fibre-it is too good
to be called Sisal-is a very superior
artlcle to that obtained in Mexico. 1t
makes an excellent rope and it is be-
lieved it will go into fabrics, the
threads are SO fine. To show you what
is thought of the fibre by shrewd
business man, may tell you that
Joseph Chamberlain. after six months
careful examination. has taken 20 900
acres Of land, and his two sons are out
there now taking charge Of the estate.
l don't care to sell very much more
land. Where before there was no
European capital invested in the Ba-
hamas there are now first-class mep
like Mr.. Chamberlain coming in and
giving an impetus to the fibre industry.
We shall begin to export the fibre in
dustry next year. 1t takes four years
to come to maturity. but after 1t is In
harvest condition you can get leaves
from the same plant for twelve or
fourteen years without renewal of any
kind. 1t is very fine plant a little
of the cactus order. The leaves which
contain the fibre, are from five to six
feet long. American Cultivator