< 232 
Suva and at Lautoka on the north west coast of Viti Levu, the 
supply of suckers and pole-plants necessary to form the experimental 
plots having been obtained from the local Botanic Gardens and in 
addition a small number of pole-plants was obtained from Honolulu. 
At the Nasinu Station the surrounding country is generally hilly 
and the particular block upon which the Sisal plants were set out 
consists of a low hill with a red soil described as a heavy loam about 
one foot deep, the subsoil containing more clay to a depth of about 
ten feet and well-drained naturally. 
lants were put out in rows eight feet oe the same distance 
being Eee between the plants in the row 
I 1910 a hurricane did condidenabte damage to the crop 
and so far as could be estimated some 40 to 45 per cent. of the leaves 
were rendered useless for fibre production, but i ened the 
damage only affected the crop for that particular yea 
The first cutting took place in October 1910 and it was calculated 
that with 681 plants to the acre the yield of fibre would amount 
to 1228lbs. According to the Report of the Department of 
Agriculture for 1911 published in 1912 the total yield of Sisal from 
the plot was 2499 Ibs. to the acre for the two cuttings in March— 
June and December. The percentage of fibre tends to increase 
with the age of the plants, the first cutting gave 3°25 per cent., the 
second 3°76 per cent. and the third cutting 4°24 per cent., similar 
results were obtained at Lautoka. The average — at Nasinu 
for the five years ending 1941 was 130°49 inches per an 
At the Lautoka Station which is situated within the xk zone ’ 
the average rainfall for the same period as that given above was 
71°66 per annum. At this Station the method of planting was the 
same as that adopted at Nasinu. An experimental plot, previously 
oughed, was planted in June 1907. This plot was situated on the 
slaie of a low hill with dark chocolate-coloured soil, eight to ten 
inches deep and lying on ache disintegrated sandstone and well- 
drained naturally. In April 1910 six rows of Hem ants were 
considered fit to cut, the plants san being two years and ten months 
old. It was decided to cut one row ata time, allowing intervals 
between the treatment of the different rows to determine the i improve- 
ment with age. The following table shows the figures actually 
btained. 
ris | Date of tight Weight of | Weight 
No. | No. of Plants. | Catting Number. Weight. — 
| : 1910, lbs. Ibs. Ibs. 
ee 32 April 23 1,423 1,984 46 15 
oe 31 May 1,403 1,864 49 16 
3 31 Oct. 20 | Not bate 2,367 66 18 
. 31 Nov.4 Notcounted 3,180 75 
egy 1911. 
5 32 Jan.18. | Not counted 2,607 69°5 19 
Gu | 32 Jan, 24, 1,926 3,289 87 
6b 32 Jan. 24. 1 27 
n the first cutting all the leaves were Aanoved up to an ee = 
45° ‘ead all those under 3 feet long were discarded. The hurri 
in March was not severely felt in the Lautoka district and the Sisal. 
hemp plants suffered no injury. 
