ALOE AND AGAVE FIBRE 35 



There are various methods in use for the extraction of the 

 fibre from aloe leaves. In Yucatan it is frequently extracted 

 by Death's fibre machines, with a wheel 50 in. in diameter 

 and 8 in. face, which carries eight knives or scrapers, and is 

 driven by a lo-h.p. engine, nearly 8,000 leaves being pre- 

 pared in a day. 



In Mauritius the natives extract the fibre by striking gentle 

 blows on the leaf with a piece of wood to bruise the pulp 

 and render it less adherent to the fibre, which they then scrape 

 by hand. In large plantations machines of various sorts are 

 used, one of the favourites being the Marabel machine. In 

 Mauritius the production of fibre per acre ranges from i to 

 2 tons. Aloe (A. Americana) yields 6 to 7 per cent., but in 

 many places not over 3 per cent, of fibre from the green 

 leaves. 



Aloe leaves contain a large percentage of pulpy matter, 

 amounting to from 96 to 98 per cent, of the weight of the 

 leaves. Wrought iron is attacked by aloe juice, which is 

 strongly acid. Cast iron, however, is but little affected by it, 

 and bronze not at all. The leaves must always be treated 

 when in a green state, for when the leaf gets yellow it becomes 

 nearly dry, the fibre loses its strength, and the once pulpy 

 substance adheres firmly to the fibre, making it unfit to be 

 worked, as the fibre in this state can hardly be separated. 

 When the fibres come out of the extracting machine they are 

 gummy and still moist. They should consequently be steeped 

 in hot water from twelve to fifteen hours before being dried 

 and packed. 



