14 FARMERS' BULLETIN. 



spines along the edges and the ends are hardened into a strong, horny 

 point. The leaves are from 3 to 7 feet long, and are made up of hard, 

 pulpy material through which the fibers run as vascular bundles for 

 conveying the sap. Except in the variegated variety the leaves are light 

 green with a whitish powdery covering or bloom. When the plant is of 

 mature age its flower stalk grows up very rapidly, sometimes to the 

 height of 15 feet. The plant flowers only once and then dies; however, 

 ilTproduces both seed and suckers as means of reproduction. 



Nearly all of the agaves produce fiber, and many of them are of com- 

 mercial importance. Notable among the commercial fibers are maguey, 

 sisal, and ixtle, or Tampico fiber, produced by different species of agave 

 and their varieties. The Agave americcma in Mexico and Central America 

 is quite extensively grown for the production of the intoxicating beverages 

 pulque and mescal, and for soap. The aggregate of all fibers produced 

 by these plants is .a large item in the world's output of fibers. In 1891 

 about 80,000 tons of raw fiber, valued at about $9,000,000, entered the 

 United States alone. 



CULTIVATION. 



In the Philippines maguey, Agave americana, is cultivated in the 

 Islands of Panay, Cebu, Mactan and in the northern provinces of Luzon, 

 notably in Zambales, Union, an<1 Ilocos Sur. The plant has been intro- 

 duced into these Islands from Mexico or Central America, as in all parts 

 where it is cultivated it bears its Mexican name, maguey, or slight varia- 

 tions. P. Delgado, who wrote about 1775, says that it is not indigenous, 

 but no note is given as to when and by whom it was introduced. 



As stated above, these plants will grow in soils varying widely in texture 

 and content of moisture. In many places, indeed, they thrive under con- 

 ditions unsuitable to any other crop. Their long fleshy leaves render them 

 capable of withstanding long droughts. They are not, however, averse 

 to the rich soils and humid climate of the Philippines ; in the more humid 

 climates, indeed, a longer and more elastic fiber is obtained. 



In no country where these plants grow have they received much care in 

 cultivation. Unless planted very far apart they can not be cultivated by 

 draft animals because of the strong sharp spines which tip the leaves. In 

 general practice they are planted in xows 8 feet apart and 6 feet apart 

 in the row, though in Mexico it is said that they are planted only 3 feet 

 apart each way and when the leaves grow long they are tied up. How- 

 ever, about the only cultivation they receive is weeding. The leaves reach 

 maturity in about three years. From this time until the plant flowers, 

 which varies from 12 to 30 years, the leaves are harvested as they reach 

 maturity. Each plant will yield about twenty-five leaves a year, which, in 

 turn, produce about 1 pounds of dry fiber. This is not a very great 

 yield in comparison with Manila hemp, but the fact that the plant accepts 

 climatic conditions which would not be tolerated by any other plant 

 renders it an economic product. 



