508 FIBRES 



number, were available for cutting before the machinery 

 was quite ready. The planter's skill consists in having 

 mature leaves in sufficient number to keep the machinery 

 steadily working, and in preserving a correct balance 

 between leaf production and machine capacity. 



No plantation could be found in better condition, the 

 land being a model of cleanliness. One sees stretches of 

 dark green, undulating landscape, clothed with a superb 

 crop of well-grown, closely planted agave intersected 

 with paths. The factory is well placed in a hollow near 

 the centre. It is striking to see the even growth, the 

 plants being tall enough on the average to conceal a man 

 on foot. 



The use of oxen is decidedly advantageous, facilitating 

 the cultivation of the land. Catch crops can be grown, 

 such as Rose coco beans planted between the rows the 

 first and second year, and four crops can be harvested, 

 thus materially reducing the cost of the sisal. 



The leaf is ready after two and a half to three years' 

 growth, and continues to grow for a further two to three 

 years, making the cycle five to six years, and producing 

 in all 140 to 200 leaves. One hundred leaves may be cut 

 at a time, but generally twenty to eighty are sufficient. 

 These are tied into bundles, and are transported on a 

 trolley line to the factory. 



The process of decorticating sisal is simple, and in- 

 volves the crushing of the leaf while it is automatically 

 gripped near its centre. Modern machinery enables the 

 cleaning process to be done in one operation. 



After passing through this machine the fibre is taken 

 to a washing tank, where it is thoroughly rinsed in water 

 for forty-five minutes 1 before being carried to the drying 



1 By some it is deemed necessary to leave the fibre in water 

 not more than three or four minutes, so as to keep it white and 

 prevent loss of strength. Abundant water supply is most impor- 

 tant. In Java the Cantala fibre is subjected after decortication 

 to a process of retting (fermenting in water) for three or four 

 days, and while this improves the colour, it depreciates the 

 strength nearly 50 per cent., and cannot be recommended either 

 for this or for sisal. Further, in Java a system of purifying the 

 washing water by chemicals has been ad-opted. A fine white fibre 

 (the whitest known) is obtained, but it is questionable if the 

 expense justifies the result. 



