314 
capitalists. The possibilities of the extension of the industry 
are discussed and estimates given as to costs of making regular 
plantations. There are large areas of land which are well 
suited for plantations of fibre, and with wider plantings 
centralization of factory working may be possible. 
Vield of Fibre and Value of Exports ——The yield of fibre 
is discussed in detail, and the results of laboratory analyses 
recorded. The expenses are itemized and the average value 
of the fibre given. 
The exports are sent to the United Kingdom; from there 
they are reshipped mainly to Germany. During the past two 
vears, however, there has been a demand for Furcraea fibre in 
the United States of America, and a large percentage of the 
exports of Mauritius have found their way to that country. 
RISULTATI DELL’ACCLIMATAZIONE IN SICILIA DELL’ 
AGAVE RIGIDA VAR, SISALANA, ENGELM. 
Per Professore CaLCEDONIO TROPEA. 
[ Azsrract. ] 
Accertato che l’Agave rigida var. sisalana vegeta bene 
nella Sicilia, su terreni aridi e pietrosi, l‘autore ha raccolto dati 
economici in rapporto alle norme colturali. In base a questi 
egli conclude che: — 
(1°) Lo sviluppo cui giungono le piante, chiede una distanza 
minima di due metri. 
(2°) Ogni pianta produce almeno 30 foglie l’anno. 
(3°) Per estrarre un chilo de fibre occorrono circa 73 foglie. 
(4°) Il prodotto medio di fibre per Ea. é di quintali 10, che 
al prezzo minimo di L.80 danno un introito lordo di L.8oo. 
Dalle quali prelevando le spese di coltura e sfibratura, pressa, 
imballaggio, ammortamento macchine e capitale fondiario, 
resta un introito netto di almeno 150 lire per Ea. II prezzo 
é calcolato sulle fibre pit corte (m. 1°10). 
(5°) La “‘sisalana’’ quindi pio utilizzare terreni aridi della 
Sicilia, disadatti a qualsiasi altra coltura. 
[ TRANSLATION. | 
RESULTS OF THE ACCLIMATIZATION IN SICILY OF 
AGAVE RIGIDA VAR. SISALANA, ENGELM. 
As it has been ascertained that Agave rigida var. sisalana 
does well in Sicily on arid stony soil, the writer has collected 
economic data with respect to the methods of cultivation 
On the basis of these data he arrives at the following con- 
clusions : — 
