LESSER-KNOWN CORDAGE FIBRES 67 



shortened, for at the end of five years it will throw up from 

 the centre a long stem about 8 ft. high, and will then shortly 

 cease to produce leaves, and die. If the leaves are con- 

 stantly cut this will not occur until the fifteenth year, and fre- 

 quently not until the eighteenth year. 



Branches develop from the top of the stem, and in time 

 become diminutive zapupe plants, which eventually become 

 detached, and are scattered over the ground, where they take 

 root and become strong, vigorous plants. The stem pro- 

 duces from 2,000 to 2,500 of these tiny scions, in addition 

 to which others spring from the roots of the stump. 



After the required number of leaves are gathered and 

 assembled in lots of fifty, the long needle-like points are cut 

 off and the leaves made up in bundles, tied, and carried to the 

 cleaning shed. A modern cleaning machine can deal with 

 about 100,000 leaves per day of ten hours. 



The plant seems to thrive best on slightly elevated ground 

 of a sandy and rocky nature. The least shade is harmful, 

 and marshy ground fatal to its growth. The suckers, or 

 scions, can be set out at any time of the year, but from Octo- 

 ber and March is the most favourable season. The plant is 

 remarkably exempt from disease or attacks of insects. Drought 

 does not affect it, nor do the heavy tropical rainfalls prove 

 injurious, provided it has good drainage. 



The Indians have for centuries manufactured ropes, bags, 

 lariats, bridles, cordage, and slines from the fibre of the plant. 

 Cordage made from it is white, resists the action of water, and 

 is flexible. 



Palma pita grows wild in nearly all parts of Northern 

 Mexico. The plant, which has the appearance of a palm tree, 

 flourishes on the dry waste lands of this country. The trunk 

 grows to a height of from 6 to 10 ft., and is often 6 to 12 in. 

 in diameter. The leaves, from which the fibre is extracted, 

 are all produced within 2 or 3 ft. of the top of the tree, for the 

 lower part of the trunk is quite bare. The inside leaves con- 



