HEMP 



197 



The fibre is obtained from its great sword-like leaves, and 

 is very strong ; it can be used instead of ordinary hemp 

 fibre (Cannabis sativa). When the plant is four years old 

 some of its leaves are ready for cutting, and the cutting is 

 continued until the plant flowers. The fibre is now generally 

 extracted by machinery, and after being washed is hung out 

 in the air to dry ; it is of a pale straw-colour. 



Sisal hemp requires heat and a moist atmosphere, but not 



FIELD OF SISAL HEMP 



too much actual rain. The soil in which it grows must be 

 well drained. 



SOURCES OF SUPPLY. The Bahamas are famous for their 

 sisal production, but nearly all their crop goes to the United 

 States, where the fibre is used to make binder twine to tie 

 up the great bundles of cereals in the harvest- time. It is 

 now, however, cultivated successfully in Kenya Colony. 

 ' Experiments in the cultivation of sisal were begun by the 

 Department of Agriculture in the Nairobi district seven years 

 ago, and more recently in the Coast-belt and other districts. 

 During the past few years extensive sisal plantations have 



