The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-08-24
lContinned from Third bdge)


interesting and valuable plant. There
can be little doubt 1t is the Agave
Sisalana of Perrine, now generally
recognized as a variety of the Agave
ridida of Miller The plant has un-
doubtedly reached the Bahamas, where
it is perfectly naturalized, from Florida,
it being the produce OF the plants
originally introduced into that country
by Perrine, over forty years ago he
absence of teeth on the leaves, Their
extreme length, often obtaining i've to
six feet, and the robust and free grow
ing habit of the pita, are qualities which |
render it one of the best It not the
very best, fiber plant amongst the known
species of agaves and tarcr9as
The pita is propagated IN two ways,
viz, from the young plants furnished
by the pole, and from the suckers, On
the plant reaching maturity, pole IS
to 20 feet high grows out from It's
center, on which a number OF blossoms
appear borne on arms, which extend
laterally from the upper part OF the
pole. In about six months after the
appearance OF the pole these blossoms
develop into young plants, varying
from to a inches in height, and IN
numbers from 1000 to $500. They
are then gathered, and set out s or 9
inches apart each way in nursery beds
In six months they will attain a growth
of from s to IL inches, and they
may then be transported to the field.
A fiber plantation started with plants
about y feet high begins to yield in
about three years. After planting any
appearance of the pole OF Towering
spike is watched, and when 3 to 4 feet
high it is cut out, otherwise the useful
ness of the plants for fiber would cease.
The age at which the pole is produced,
when not extended by the removal OF
leaves, is about six years. The suckers
in a congenia soil are produced IN
twelve to eighteen months. From this
time on to the third or fourth year they
appear in great numbers, some plants
producing as many as twenty or thirty
suckers during that period, after which
they begin to decrease until they finally
disappear altogether. Each plant,
when matured, yields thirty to thirty
five leaves per annum, and the return
Of hemp is at the rate of 1000 pounds,
or half a ton per acre "a very small
average( on which it is estimated that
net profit of from IS to f6 may be
counted on. In different places q
variety of distances are adopted tor
planting. The rows should, however,
be as even as possible, Plants are
generally put out during the rainy
season at IL feet by 6 feet apart, OF
Coz to the acre, in holes proportiona
to their size. At certain intervals paths
about Is feet wide are left for cartlns
out the young leaves and shoots, Al
fbrous roots and lower leaves are re
moved before planting, to facilitate
new growth.
"a established plantation ha
an extensive system of roads, all con
verging on the works. which latter ar
situated in as central position as pos
sible. The plants thrive and yield tn
largest amount of fiber in Comparatvel
arid districts, only few feet above tn
level ofthe sea. Moist or rich land is Ut
suitable, for although the plants woul
grow in the latter the quantity of tibe
Welded would be comparatively SINAI
Plantations are established by Clearin
the land of trees and shrub, the stump
are uprooted to give an even surface
because any shade is considered a dis
advantage. When once the pita feel,
is laid out the only extra labor the
necessary is occasional wedding amongs
the rows. In harvesting the fiber, tn
length of leaves cut must not be les
than three feet, their rlpeness bein
Judged by the color and their position
in the Tosette' The outer leaves
being the oldest are cut first tn
others following in monthly rotation
during the entire year When ripe
they are removed by men with shar
knives, who cut them close to the trunk
point them, and then make them u
into bundles of fifty each. These ar
placed by the roadside and are packe'
on drays carrying 1900 leaves to tn
load, and conveyed to the works
which are always conveniently situate
near a regular supply Of water. In
fiber is separated from the leaves b
machines properly adapted to the pun
pose. The power of the engine arr
the number of wheels necessary will
as a matter of course, depend on tn
size of the plantation, the usual pro
portion at present in vogue being on
fiber machine to one hundred acres o
plants. After the sisal has been eH
tracted, it is placed on a drylrg stan'
fully exposed to the sun, and thor
oughly dried. If it is desired to bIeacI
the fiber to high degree of whiteness
it is left out all night and on the follow
ing day it is carefully turned ov oc
casionally. The raw material is the
made up into bales by means of eithe
a screw or hydraulic press, every pre-
caution being used to keep the hb(