The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1919-01-23
FLORIDA CAN RAISE
EVERY FIBRE PLANT
That is Grown in Mexico and
Other Foreign Countries
NO NEED TO IMPORT FIBRES
Sisal Hemp Thrives in the Poor
est Soils and Lives Fifteen or
More Years. Makes Fine Twine,
Rope and Bags.

hoPc duu o"So'
The fibre-bearing plants capa-
bic of successful and profitable
cultivation in Florida compose
practically all the fibres that are
imported annually into the United
States. This country is large
consumer of fibres for bags, rope,
twine, etc, the raw material of
which comes largely from foreign
countries, when it should be
grown in Florida and other states
of the south
Sisal hemp, the same as manda
hemp, will grow practically in all
parts of the state, and thrives in
the poorest of sandy soils. The
plant has a life of Is or more
years. 1t is easy of cultivation,
requires no fertilizing, stands
drought and rain and has few enc
mics A plant to manufacture
sisal was established some years
ago in south Florida, but like
many new enterprises it was not
pushed, but the project is being
revived. Why notY I'VE import
millions of dollars worth of sisal
from Yucatan, ACROSS the Gulf
from us every year. 1t could be
made profitable industry in
| Florida.
Bowstring hemp is grown as an
ornamental plant. 1t is known as
rattlesnake, lily and spotted lily.
The plant has long been priced in
| India under the name Of Marva.
1t grows readily in all parts Of
Florida, is easily propagated, and
spreads on its own account. The
fibre can be used for great var
iety of purposes, from rope to
press goods. h
Pineapple plant leaves contain
fibre of much value. In a re-
port by the United States depart
ment of agriculture it is said:
"The fibre of the pineapple plant
is soft and fine, the filaments be-
ing quite flexible and resistant. In
the East Indies the fibre is exten-
slvely used in the manufacture of
a considerable range of products,
from cordage to delicate fabrics,
silk-like in appearance and dura-
bility." Vast quantities of pine
leaves go to waste every year in
Florida. To utilize the leaves as
well as the fruit would make the
growing of pineapples most val
liable industry.
A plant indigenous to Florida,
growing wild in many parts of the
state and known as Caesar weed
or French cookie burr, produces
an excellent fibre. 1t is long, soft,
nearly white, and has silken lus-
tire, and in the opinion of experts
can be made to seerve the uses of
flax. This plant, like many other
Florida weeds, grows up in the
spring and dies late in the fall,
says the State Marketing Bureau.
Ramie was introduced into the
United States from the Orient a.
bout 1855. 1t is sometimes called
China grass and cheva grass. 1t
is q coarse perennial, and has
life OF some twenty years, and
several crops a year are possible
from the rapidly growing stems.
II will grow in most kinds of soil,
but best in Florida in medium
light, well drained upland. 1t
supplies a strong and handsome
fibre, and will resist water longer
than any other known fibre. 1t
,an be combined with silk, cotton
and fax and is sometimes called
vegetable silk" The growing
and manufacture of it should take
rank among other industries of
(Concludnd on 0a0o QN