The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-09-22

L. G. Blackman contributes a strong
article on sisal to the current number
of the Forester and Agriculturist, of
which the following are extracts:
In the articles which have already
appeared on the possibilities of the
expansion of the fibre industry in Ha-
wall, the plants which have been dealt
with offer attractions rather to those
DESTROYS of venturing upon new and
improved undertakings. Although the
greatest fortune is usually reaped by
the pioneers of a successful industry,
and although the probab ility of good
results awaiting the cultivation of
such fibres as Ramie and Manila
Hemp in Hawaii are as assured as
can ever be foreseen before actual ex-
pertinent to the agriculturist seeking
a sound investment, Sisal offers re-
turns of no less promise but moreover
in a concrete and already proved form.
Indeed, after a careful review of the
merits of other, but untried COMPETE
tors. there appears to be little reason
for advocating a diversity of fibre in
dustries In the Islands, when Sisal Of
fers field for enterprise and expan-
sion probably unsurpassed by any
other rival. Unless peculiar local con-
ditions of soil or climate render the
introduction of other fibrous plants
advisable, the attention of prospective
growers should first he given to a
careful investigation of the advan-
tages of Sisal. The establishment of
a number of plantations devoted to
the growth of this fibre would prob
ably do more towards strengthening
the agricultural resources of these Is
lands than the same number of SINH
lar undertakings engaged in the prod
uction of a diversity of fibrous plants.
In the latter case, although our CHM
ate and soil offer such a variety of
conditions that it is not difficult to
select suitable localities for Industries
requiring widely different conditions,
there is little doubt that some among
these would not be attended with the
success expected. The presence of a
number of hourishing Sisal plantations
would afford opportunities of COM
parison of data which would be of
very material help not only to one an
other, but prove an invaluable prece-
dent for the establishment of younger
plantations. A direct result of such
a colony of Sisal growers in Hawaii
WOuiu DS Tie GSld u pSTIIld-
nent markets for the disposal of their
fibre. The absence of a ready means
of disposal of their product presents
a most serious obstacle to the success
of many new industries. The demand i
for Sisal fibre is continually increas-
ing, even out of ratio to the numerous
new companies which have recently
been formed, and the price for the
best qualities of the fibre has for some
time steadily advanced. The Sisal
which has already been marketed
from these Islands is of exceptional
quality and no effort should be spared
to maintain this high standard, as the
additional care bestowed upon the
production of the highest grades is
many times repaid by the enhanced
prices which are commanded. /
VALUE AND IMPORTATION
The following extract from the Sta
tistical Abstract of the United States,
Washington, 1904, shows the qualities
and values of the importations of Sisal
for the last few years: