172 CORDAGE FIBRES 



Experiments in Sisal hemp growing were com- 

 menced in Fiji in 1907, and satisfactory results were 

 obtained at the Nasinu and Lautoka Experiment 

 Stations, situated respectively in the wet and dry 

 regions of the island of Vitilevu, but the dry zone was 

 found to be best adapted to the crop. Efforts are 

 being made to encourage planters to take up the 

 cultivation. 



Sisal hemp is also being grown in comparatively 

 small quantities in Mauritius, Jamaica and certain 

 other islands of the West Indies, and in Queensland 

 and the Northern Territory, Australia. Experiments 

 have been made in Uganda, Rhodesia, and various 

 other parts of the British Empire. 



CULTIVATION 



Climate and Soil. The Sisal plant requires a 

 tropical climate with moderate atmospheric humidity. 

 It is very hardy, but is liable to be injured by excessive 

 rain. 



It is usually stated that the plant flourishes on 

 rough, dry, stony or rocky soils which are unsuitable 

 for other crops, but there is little doubt that good 

 soils are not unfavourable. On poor soils, the plants 

 are of somewhat inferior appearance but yield leaves 

 containing a large proportion of fibre whilst, on rich 

 soils, longer leaves are produced which furnish com- 

 paratively less fibre. It is probable, however, that 

 in the latter case the greater length of the leaf more 

 than compensates for the lower percentage of fibre. 

 In general, it may be stated that the most suitable 

 soil is a dry, permeable, sandy loam, containing a 

 certain amount of lime. Good drainage is of great 

 importance as the roots of the plants are sensitive 

 to moisture and are liable to be seriously injured by 

 standing water. 



Preparation of the Land. The land selected for 

 a plantation should be fairly hilly in order to allow 

 of easy drainage. Most writers agree that it is not 

 necessary to break up the soil to any great extent, 



