BINDER-TWINE FIBER IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 9 



It is possible that the introduction of cleaning machines will do 

 more to improve conditions on the maguey plantations than any other 

 work that can be done. The planters who are investing their capital 

 in large modern machines will naturally be .interested in their profit- 

 able operation. In order to operate them profitably a large and 

 regular supply of good leaves is essential. The quality of leaves 

 required for the most successful operation of the machines can not 

 be produced without the introduction of improvements' in methods 

 of "production. This fact has already been demonstrated where Gov- 

 ernment machines have been operated, and it will be more generally 

 and more clearly understood now that machines are being purchased 

 and operated by the planters themselves. 



PURPOSE OF THE COOPERATIVE WORK WITH THE PHILIPPINE 

 BUREAU OF AGRICULTURE. 



During the calendar year 1916 it was proposed that the United 

 States Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Bureau of 

 Agriculture engage in cooperative work to encourage the increased 

 production of binder-twine fiber in the Philippine Islands. 



The plan of this proposed cooperation, which was subsequently 

 approved, was based on the following essential considerations : 



(1) That binder twine is now an article indispensable to practically all 

 American grain growers. , 



(2) That more than 80 per cent of the binder twine now manufactured in the 

 United States is made from henequen (Yucatan sisal). 



(3) That the dependence of the American farmers and manufacturers on 

 this one source of supply of binder-twine fiber is a serious danger to American 

 agriculture. 



(4) That it is extremely desirable that binder-twine fiber be produced in 

 increasing quantities in territory under the control of the United States. 



(5) That there are in the Philippine Islands extensive areas having conditions 

 of climate and soil suitable for the production of maguey and sisal and these 

 plants are already widely distributed in the Philippines. 



(6) That the production of binder-twine fiber in the Philippine Islands can be 

 increased by the use of modern methods such as have made the industry profit- 

 able elsewhere. 



- (7) That without the use of adequate machinery for extracting the fiber the 

 industry can not be profitably and extensively developed, 



(8) That the most important activities of this cooperative work should be 

 the purchase, installation, and operation for demonstration purposes of fiber- 

 cleaning machines of types regarded as best adapted to the needs and conditions 

 in the Philippines and the distribution to the growers of approved types of 

 plants. 



(9) That the expenses, estimated at $40,000 per annum, be borne jointly by 

 the Government of the United States and the Government of the Philippine 

 Islands. 



(10) That this cooperative work should ultimately result to the advantage of 

 the United States by increasing the production of binder-twine fiber in the Phil- 



17949°— 20 2 



