The Hawaiian gazette., 1902-10-17
THE SlSAL INDUSTRY IN
THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
Something From an Expert About the Growth
and Prospects of an Important New
Branch Of Island Agriculture.

The general conditions that influence
success in sisal culture are so very APP
parent in this territory that it would
lead one who does not know the enter
prising spirit of its people to question
that virtue, seeing that there is but one
plantation of TIE kind on the Islands and
that of very recent growth, while there
are so many large tracts of waste land
which can be made profitable with it,
A diversity of industries for the per-
manent welfare of any state or territory
has long been the decision of economists,
and though there is much thought to the
contrary 1t is doubtful If any prosper
GUS community realizes this fact more
than do the people of these Islands. Their
energetic capacity is evidenced by the
high scientific and practical accomplish
ments reached in the culture of sugar
cane. A glance at the history of that in
dustry soon reveals the reason for their
energy and capital moving in that direc-
ton. BY little inquiry one may learn
that the people have been quite generous
in their patronage of new industries in
an experimental way. 1t is fact, though
perhaps not generally known, that a large
sum of money was spent some years ago
in an attempt to grow and put upon the
market a fibre called ramie. Being I'M
in use at that time was probably the cause
Of failure. 1t was very natural that such
an experiment should be followed by a
long period Of calm on the subject of
fibre culture in Hawaii. Costly expert
ments nearly always follow burst of
enthusiasm on such subjects. These eX-
periments have their good effect provided
they are not such as to discourage fur
Their and more intelligent effort. 1t is
said that JoSanh Chamharlaip of n
African fame, at one time invested 5000, 900,
in the Bahama Islands most of which
was lost in an effort to grow sisal on a
gigantic scale. However those islands are
today thriving country due to sisal cul-
ture alone. But before the advent of sisal
the Bahamas were almost worthless to
the British government. The tendency
to experiment with new varieties of fibre
is too common. Attention should be CIV
en- to the kinds adapted to present de-
mands in manufacture. Among several
hundred varieties, there are but few of
| commercial Importance, and while the
larger part of our better fabrics are made
from them, 1t is folly to go into costly
experiments with new varieties. The
universal demand for fibre for some years
past has given such an impetus to sisal
culture as to cause much inquiry into the
methods by which 1t is made marketable.
Much of the literature on the subject is
very misleading as is evidenced by the
various opinions given through the press.
with few years of experience with
sisal. the writer is able to testify that
much of what is said about it's culture is
| inapplicable to the conditions in Hawaii.
Little seems to be known of the plant
here owing to it's peculiar character and
| the purposes for which II is used though
| II can be seen growing In many of the
lawns about Honolulu, and In nearly every
household there are clothes lines or hitch
| ing ropes made OF the fibre taken from
| the sisal plant. II is often called Manila
because OF its resemblance to that fibre
and because Manila was common before
sisal came into use. There In a great
difference In the plants. however. when
seen growing. Manila belongs TO the ba-
mana family but bears no fruit. Its com
mon name is derived from the capital city
OF the Philippines where II Is extensive
| ly grown sisal Ii OF the Agave or Cen
fury plant family, most OF which IL grown
| In Yucatan and the Bahama Islands
They are the principal oordage fibres nov
In common use,
The United states consumes the largel
part Of the worlds eordage materials anC
has imported that product for many years
but has never produced Il herself IN com
meroial quantities,
| In lisa the Department OF Asriouiur,
established y BOARD ~ Inquiry whos'
function u IVES 20 Investigate the eondi