Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-01

dispute that the plant supplies long. slen-
der and straight poles with which to make
the frame that holds up the thatch Of the
roof. and leaves with which that thatch may
be made, besides the cords by which to
! lash firmly together the roof frame, and
to tie the thatch to 1t.
F,fbers Of the fusang are spun of all
degrees of f1neness, or lack of fneness. OF
the coarser yarns ropes are twisted, with
which to lasso the reluctant mule or the
unwilling horse; to lash securely on the
pack-saddle the loads those bestias are to
tote; of finer Irvine alforjas saddle bags
are woven, to sling across the back Of
horse or OF burro, and hold such things as
the traveller may want on his Way-luncheon
and towel. perhaps, with a clean shirt
or spare socks; hammocks In which the
saddle-worn guest may rest. dream away
the warm sfesta or sleep through the cool
nights
fusang or maguey fiber, even as. in the long
forgotten centuries, was woven the cloth
which wrapped the dead of those days. to
hold them safe until the coming OF our
day and sacrilegious curiosity-webs which
may have been woven by such simple looms
and amid such scenes may be found
hidden in remote hooks of Mexico today.
or such cloth bags are made in which to
lug up ores from the depths Of mines, or
to carry maize and rice coffee and sugar
from the plantation; and If such thing
should happen as that a bag should be
washed, or when the washlady scrubs shirt
or skirt or other garment, and even when
one washes away the dust and sweat of the
hot day, a pounded leaf of agave will give
all that will be needed in the way of SOAP
Since the people of Fusang find SO many
ways in which to use that plant, Is there
much cause to wonder that those early mis-
sionaries thought it worth while to write
down the tale, and SO unwittingly give proof
that will no longer be denied. that theydid
discover America ages before Columbus
or Eric were themselves discovered by their
own mothers? Is there reason for surprise
when one learns that officer of the
more than enough experience chasing
Apaches to make him high authority on
the subject. declared that those Indians
could scarcely be conquered, because their
country is the natural home of the maguey.
He knew, for he had fought and followed
learned that the century plant could give
them all they would need OF food and drink,
of shelter and of fuel.
AS to drink: it is the agave which sup
plies mezcal, as well as pulque which are
ardent waters. although not like that more
common agpardiente, which comes OF the
sugarcane. Pulque is made of the sap
which collects in the cup that Is made by
cutting away the heart Of one kind of
agave plant. Mezcal is made by fermenting
the Juice of another kind of the agave.
Those who think they need the sustaining
help OF the mezcai ney take comfort from
the thought that 1t fruits most abundantly.
and when It's seeds fall upon stony places
they are pretty sure to sprout. so as to
start plants which Will cover the desert
with leaves which win suck up from the
air itself enough to give sap and great
strength.
1t seems almost impossible that anything
can get moisture from the parched air OF
those plains and mountains: and the leaves
of that agave which 10 called fxtle look az