ii 4 A COLONY IN THE MAKING chap. 



closely as possible without interfering with the working 

 of the cutters, and when the crop is completely- 

 harvested to allow the ground to fallow for one year at 

 least. For such a purpose 6 feet by 6 feet, or possibly 

 closer, is to be recommended. This plan, of course, 

 necessitates the taking in of an increased area, a fact 

 to be borne in mind in selection of site. Obviously 

 this latest method is to the comparative advantage of 

 British East Africa, where the actual production of a 

 full-grown sisal plant on fresh ground implies no 

 additional expenditure (i.e., will be paid for by the 

 catch crops). 



The amount of water necessary for the efficient 

 washing and decortication of fibre is another debatable 

 point. It may be said, however, I hope without fear 

 of contradiction, that 2,000 gallons a day is ample for 

 an output of two tons, and without doubt there are 

 methods by which this amount may be very materially 

 reduced. Machinery is both cheapened and improved 

 nowadays, but is still the principal outlay to be faced. 

 To deal with the produce of 300 acres annually a total 

 initial cost of say ,£3,000 must be faced. A thousand 

 acres is about the smallest area which will economically 

 support a factory, bearing in mind a possible drop of 

 prices in the future. For such an area a capital of 

 £"5,000 would not come amiss, though some of the 

 best authorities place it at a considerably lower figure. 



Under present conditions, sisal fibre can be placed 

 on the market from suitable localities at about £"13 

 per ton, including interest on capital and any and 

 every contingency and there seems no real reason 

 to suppose that the price will drop below £"20. It 

 cannot too strongly be insisted that organisation or 

 the lack of it spells success or failure, and that 



