MAURITIUS HEMP 183 



hemp, take place more or less in accordance with the 

 Manila hemp market. The values of all these fibres 

 in London were very high at the en.jj.pf 1905 and the 

 beginning of 1906, when " good fair " Mauritius hemp 

 was quoted in London at about 30 per ton. The 

 price fell rapidly during 1907, until in March 1908 

 it had reached 19 105. per ton. The value then 

 remained fairly constant, fluctuating between 19 

 and 21 i os. until the latter part of 1909, when a 

 gradual rise took place. During 1910, the price 

 varied between 24 and 27, and in 191 1 between 23 

 and 25. The value rose slightly during 1912, reach- 

 ing a maximum of 28 IDS. in November and falling 

 to 27-^27 i os. per ton in December. 



During 1913 and 1914, " prime " qualities fluctu- 

 ated between 26 and 32, "good white " between 

 23 and 28 i os., and " fair " between 21 and 26 per 

 ton. Towards the end of 1915, the price of " prime " 

 rose to 34-^36, and that of " good white " to 32- 

 34 per ton. 



Mauritius hemp resembles Sisal hemp in its general 

 properties, but is usually somewhat finer, softer and 

 weaker than the latter. It is chiefly employed for 

 rope manufacture, and especially for mixing with 

 Manila and Sisal hemps for the production of medium 

 grades of cordage. 



It does not seem likely that any great extension of 

 the Furcrcea industry will take place in Mauritius. 

 There is no doubt, however, that the plantations 

 which are being established will involve only a small 

 expense for cultivation and upkeep, and this will be 

 largely compensated by the diminution in the cost 

 of collection and transport of the leaves, which usually 

 forms a considerable proportion of the cost of produc- 

 tion, owing to the plants being distributed over wide 

 areas and Often at a great distance from the factory. 

 It is recommended that the plants should be laid out 

 in rows about 4 or 5 feet apart, and with the same 

 distance between successive plants in each row. It 

 is stated that the leaves can be cut about four years 

 after planting, and subsequent cuttings made every 

 eighteen to twenty-four months until the plant dies. 



13 



