67 



far, has come via New York, and, though most of it has 

 been quite equal to the Mexican in quality, some of it, it 

 is to be regretted, has been '' cooked " in New York ; that 

 is, the superior long fibre has been extracted and the infe- 

 rior re- shipped here as the genuine article. 



In Europe, we use this product enormously for brush 

 and broom making_ chiefly, for which purpose it is a large 

 auxiliary or substitute for piassava. We can take thou- 

 sands of tons of it. The supply of both, however, is at 

 present quite inadequate, and piassava has advanced thirty 

 to fifty, and Istle ten to twenty per cent. 



The value to-day of ordinary to fine Texas Istle is £41 to 

 £42 10s., equal tallQT to $204 gold p^r ton of 2240 pounds, 

 at which the Mexican sold. , There is no duty, and it sells 

 readily, ex quay, as it arrives.- 



It is hoped that the agriculturalists of Texas will see to 

 this Istle, and also to its direct shipment to Europe. The 

 Mexicans are getting rich upon it, and, as the river Rio 

 Grande del Norte alone divides the United States and Mexi- 

 can territories, it is difficult to imagine that there can be 

 any geographical or physical reasons to prevent the Ameri- 

 cans going ahead in its increased production with charac- 

 teristic enterprise. 



The last Texas sTiipment that we are advised of was one 

 of one hundred and four bales, exported by the "Clara 

 Woodhouse," from Brazos, Texas, to New York, which 

 lot is expected here. Interested parties can have samples 

 of the exact thing required, and further information at 

 any time, by writing to the undersigned. 



Alex. S. Mackae, 



Anglo-American Produce Brolcer, Liverpool, England. 



The Ystle and Maguey. 



The enclosed communication on the Ystle and Maguey 

 was. written by- Mr. Hastings, an intelligent American gen- 

 tleman of Tamaulipas, Mexico, for the- Brownsville Senti- 

 nel, of Texas. Last summer I saw Col. Ford, of XhQ^Sen- 

 tinel, and requested him to send me some of the Ystle, 

 and all the ini'ormation he could. about the t)]ant, and here 

 you have the result. The large Maguey {Agave Ameri- 



