"Aloes Malgache" Furcraea gigantea and the "Aloes 

 Creole " Furcraea gigantea var. Willemeliana. The Aloes 

 Creole contains a larger percentage of fibre than the Aloes 

 Malgache and grows more rapidly. It is estimated that there 

 are approximately 20,000 arpents (i arpent equals 1*05 acre) 

 under aloes in the Colony. In the higher districts the plants 

 grow more slowly than in the warmer districts around the 

 coast, and it is in these coastal districts that the majority of 

 the factories are situated. In 1913 there were 42 factories 

 in operation, of which 25 were situated in the Black River 

 District. During recent years planting of Aloes Creole 

 (Furcraea gigantea var. Willemeliana) and Sisal (Agave 

 sisalana) on a plantation basis has taken place. The plantings of 

 sisal have grown satisfactorily, but in many cases irregularly, 

 while the plantings of Aloes Creole have proved very satis- 

 factory. It is estimated that there are 60 to 75 arpents planted 

 with sisal in the Colony, and 1,500 of Aloes Creole. The 

 latter are now generally preferred, as they require less atten- 

 tion in the early stages of growth and grow with much greater 

 regularity. 



Factories. The factories are all small ones their outputs 

 ranging from 50 to 150 tons with an average of about 55 tons 

 of dry fibre per factory. The leaves are brought to the 

 factory by tramway or by ox-carts. They are scraped by 

 grattes (raspadors), two men working at each gratte. The 

 green fibre is then washed and afterwards allowed to soak for 

 from 36 to 48 hours in soapy water for disintegration of 

 attached particles of pulp previous to bleaching. Bleaching 

 and drying are carried out in the sun, and finally the dry 

 fibre is brushed in brushing machines 'before being baled for 

 shipment. 



Cost of Production. The cost of production varies between 

 11 and 15 per ton of dry fibre. The various items that 

 make up these expenses are discussed, and a brief description 

 is given of the attempts that are being made to reduce the 

 costs of production in the factory. The fuel item, in the past 

 year, has been greatly reduced by the installation of suction- 

 gas plants worked with charcoal. The Government has also 

 taken the matter in hand, and is installing at a central spot an 

 automatic decorticating plant with a view to ascertaining if 

 further reductions of costs cannot be effected. 



Capital and Possibilities for Extension. The industry is ' 

 worked on as little capital as possible, and therefore it does 

 not increase as fast as might be expected. However, there 

 are signs that closer attention is being paid to making new 

 plantations. With regular plantations and attention to culti- 

 vation the industry will be capable of attracting attention from 



