Report of Society's Meetings. 375 



matter of the Country Exhibition, but had not yet re- 

 ceived any reply. 



The Secretary read a letter from the Government 

 Secretary, in reference to the motion passed at the last 

 meeting, as to the suggested Hydrographical Survey of 

 the sea bottom between this colony and Trinidad, stating 

 that, " The question of telegraphic communication be- 

 tween this colony and abroad has for some time been 

 engaging the attention of this Government." 



The Assistant Secretary read the following short 

 analysis of the report of George Preston, Esq., the 

 Commissioner from the Bahamas to enquire into the 

 working of the fibre industry in Yucatan. The report 

 being too long, it had been suggested that a resume 

 would be interesting. 



Abstract of Report on Sisal Hemp, 



The development of the Sisal Hemp industry in Yucatan has been very 

 rapid. It was started about 1873, and as early as 1880 the shipments 

 amounted to 97,351 bales of the value of eighteen hundred thousand 

 dollars, while last year the amount was 213,882 bales, of the value of 

 $6,641,257 69. There are in Yucatan about 200 farms of different 

 sizes, the largest employing 30 fibre machines and 500 hands. The 

 profits of some of the farmers amount to S500 to §2,000 per day, the 

 fibre giving a net profit of 9 cents per lb., and as a natural consequence 

 there has been a considerable increase in the prosperity of the country. 



The poorest land can be utilised for this plant, a sandy soil that is 

 otherwise worthless being most suitable. The only preparation needed 

 is clearing the land, which is not very difficult, as the poorest land is 

 necessarily easiest to prepare, the Report giving the cost at 35s. to 40s. 

 per acre. The usual mode of propagation is by suckers, which grows 

 from the old plants, and produce leaves fit for cutting in about 3 years. 

 It is recommended that the young suckers be planted in rows at 6 feet 

 distance from each other, with a distance of 11 feet between the rows to 

 allow the cutters to work conveniently. The time for cutting will vary 

 according to circumstances, the leaves ripen at different times and it 



