Director' s Annual Report. 6i 



plantation that a good sun materially assists these processes. 

 Whether the fibre ma)^ be injured by this means, in texture or 

 some other property, is yet to be determined. A very ingenious 

 method of exposing the fibre to the air is in use. A wooden rail 

 framework has been erecfled at about five feet from the ground, 

 and across this are stretched lines of doubled cord. Each line is 

 firmly held at one end but is free to revolve from the other by at- 

 tachment to a revolving swivel. In exposing fibre to dry a whisp 

 is placed between the double line at the fixed end which is given a 

 half turn and another whisp inserted. The process is continued 

 the entire length of the line ; by this means the fibre is securely 

 held against wind or other accident and is easily removed by 

 pulling. When dried the fibre is placed in a press capable of ex- 

 erting a weight of a hundred tons, and packed into bales of about 

 500 pounds. Before the weight is removed from the bale the door 

 of the press is opened and through grooves in the top and bottom 

 wire is run and the bale securely bound. It is finally covered with 

 gunny cloth, and is then ready for shipment. The mill is at pres- 

 ent capable with one machine of an output of about a ton of fibre a 

 day under favorable circumstances, such as when working on good 

 length leaves. An ordinary day's work falls somewhat short of this. 



With this evidence it seems safe to predict that the future of 

 the sisal industry in Hawaii is assured. •♦ Its abundant reproduc- 

 tiveness, its easy culture and adaptibility to apparently useless 

 wastes, the simplicity of its preparation, and its value in the markets 

 of the world, give it pre-eminence over many rivals. As a cordage 

 material it is inferior only to Manila hemp. 



Besides the sisal plantation near Ewa there are already several 

 others in contemplation. The Kona Sugar Co. has about sixty 

 acres devoted to this purpose, from which fibre of exceptional 

 quality has been obtained ; and many coffee growers are commenc- 

 ing to convert their land to the growth of sisal. 



^Since the above was written Mr. B. F. Dillingham, of the Hawaiian Fibre Co., ha.s issued 

 a report which gives detailed statistics of the expenditure of the company since its inception 

 in December, 1S9S. Exceptional importance attaches to this report as the company is the 

 first of its kind in these Islands, and the results were achieved during the experimental 

 Stage of the industry and at a time of widespread commercial depression throughout the Ter- 

 ritory. The report will remain an important guide to future sisal planters, and marks a dis- 

 tinct advance in the development of Hawaii. Mr. Dillingham shows in brief that sisal fibre 

 has been grown at a total cost of $98 per ton, which sold for $150 to $160 per ton. He also 

 affirms that the experience already gained will enable a great economy to be at once prac- 

 ticed on all items of expenditure, and that the cost of produdlion will be reduced to not more 

 than $74 per ton. 



