57O FIBRES 



bronze (Mola machine), in others by hempen ropes (New 

 Corona machine). With the large machines, the work 

 performed is, oi course, far greater than with the 

 raspadores or " double raspadores/' which derive their 

 name from the fact of two raspadores being fixed on one 

 driving shaft. The raspadore principle has the draw- 

 back that some of the flesh remains in the central part 

 of the leaf, and this must afterwards be removed. On 

 the other hand, the raspadore apparatus is far cheaper, 

 and would appear to yield a better quality of hemp and 

 less waste; it is also, of course, much simpler to work. 

 Besides, it will always be possible to set up more than 

 one of these cheap machines, and there is thus no danger 

 that in case of a breakdown or other accident the whole 

 factory and work of harvesting would come to a stand- 

 still; whereas this possibility must not be lost sight of 

 with the larger machines, of which only the greatest 

 plantations can afford more than one. 



It can be stated as a general rule that the amount 

 produced by a double raspadore is almost half a ton daily, 

 for which 5 to 7 h.p. are required. The large machine 

 most commonly used in the Colony is the " New Corona," 

 constructed by the Krupp-Gruson Works of Magde- 

 burg. It is built in two types, which are stated by the 

 makers to require 40 and 30 h.p., and to yield 2 and 

 i{? tons of fibre daily respectively. 



It is hardly advisable to give any detailed figures as to 

 the capacity and working expenses of the various systems 

 of machines. The several factories at present in exist- 

 ence show so many differences that it is hardly possible 

 to make any general statement as to the cost of con- 

 struction and working of sisal plantations. Further 

 information will be found in a paper by Hupfeld in the 

 Tropenflanzer (1910, pp. 532-539) and in the annual state- 

 ments of the larger sisal plantation companies of the 

 Colony, whilst a detailed account of the cultivation and 

 its commercial aspects is given in a paper published by 

 myself 2 last year. 



- Bruck, W. F. " Die Sisalkultur in Deutschostafrika," 

 Arbeiten der Dentschen Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft, IQI3> 

 Heft 244. 



