310 



MINOR FIBRE CROPS 



SISAL AND HENEQUIN 



These two plants both belong to the genus Agave and are thus 

 related to our common century plant (Figs. 203, 204 and 205). 

 If the leaves of a century plant be examined, fibres may be dis- 

 covered along the edge of the leaves, or if a leaf is broken much 

 of the fibre may be found. 



The crop has long been produced in Central America, where it 

 is called by the Spanish name Henequin. The large, thick leaves 

 of the Agave plant are crushed between rollers and the work is 

 done very rapidly, but many tons of leaves are required for a 

 single ton of fibre. Where grown extensively, the yield may reach 

 one thousand pounds of fibre per acre. Large balls of buds called 



Fia. 204. 



Fio. 205. 



FIG. 204. The sisal plant, having green leaves without marginal priokles, is culti- 

 vated in the Bahamas, tropical East Africa, Hawaii, and Java. The leaves are cut one at a 

 time with a large case knife and the fibre is cleaned by machines. (U. S. D. A.) 



FIG. 205. Sisal fibre drying. Sisal fibre is usually rinsed in running soft water im- 

 mediately after leaving the cleaning machine, then hung in the sun to dry. Henequin fibre 

 in Yucatan and Cuba is dried without rinsing. (U. S. D. A.) 



"mast" are produced on the sides of the flower stalks of the plant, 

 and these, as well as suckers springing from the root, are used in 

 propagating the plants. They are set in rows during the winter 

 or rainy season, the soil being limestone itself. Indeed, crow- 

 bars are used for making the holes in the soft coral rock. The 

 holes may be blasted with gunpowder and the plants will then 

 grow readily. Of course no cultivation is possible. Enough soil 

 must be present on the rocks to retain plenty of moisture and 

 supply some plant food, but the presence of lime rock seems to be 

 essential. 



