33 Agricultural Cuba 



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fiber throughout the world, makes this industry 

 a most exceptional opportunity on the Island. 



The crop is abundantly sure, if planted on the 

 right soil. Lack of rain or long draughts are 

 matters of no importance and the plant will 

 continue to thrive and grow without deterioration 

 in the quality of the fiber. 



In Cuba the Henequen plant grows at an 

 average of one inch on each leaf per month. 



The Henequen plant has absolutely no enemies. 

 Even fire fails to injure it; cattle will not eat it, 

 and the crop is never stolen as it could never be 

 sold in small quantities. 



It is grown on hillsides unsuitable for other 

 cultivation, and the crop may be cut and conveyed 

 to the decortication plants at any season of the 

 year. 



The life of the Henequen plant is from fifteen 

 to twenty years, and the average yield in Cuba 

 is about seventy pounds of fiber to i,ooo leaves, 

 while in Yucatan the yield seldom exceeds fifty 

 pounds. 



The fiber is indispensable in manufacturing the 

 world's supply of rope, cordage, binding twine, 

 bagging and other rough fabrics. 



Estimate of the cost. Growing Henequen and 



Producing Sisal, or Fiber from same in 



the Republic of Cuba. 



loo acres is used as the unit of measure. 



Cost of 75,000 plants at $12.00 per 1,000 $ 900.00 



Cost of preparing land 770 .00 



Cost of planting at $5.00 per i ,000 375 • 00 



Cost of caring for and cultivating during 4 years i,35o.cx» 



Cost of cutting 5,250,000 leaves at 50c per i,ooo. 2,625.00 



Cost of conveying to mill at 20c per 1,000 1,050.00 



Cost of decortication at I2>^c per 1,000 654.00 



Cost of baling 920 bales at 30c per bale 276 . 00 



$ 8,000.00 



