6 
In Yucatan the Agaves are planted about 9 feet between the 
plants each way, with intervals of 15 or 18 feet at certain distances 
«continue to do so for fifty or sixty years aite even une er. 
As an example of what the probable returns may “be eee a Sisal 
hemp plantation, it is stated by Dr. Perrine that each agy at four or 
per pou und. 
The annual gross return per acre may therefore be set down at 400 
pounds of fibre, which at 4d. a pound, gives a gross yield of 62. 13s. 4d. 
The actual cost of producing and preparing the fibre would vary 
according to the circumstances of the locality; but where ordinar 
facilities exist for the transit and preparation of the leaves, and especially 
with the aid of simple and effective machinery, the cost should not exceed 
one penny per sean Hence the net returns may be set down at about 
5l. per acre per 
The export of Sisal hemp exceeds that of any other article of Mexican 
growth. The See: value of fibres from Yucatan in 1883 reached the 
large sum of 658,0 
Dr. Schott, in ite Report of the Department of Agriculture, United 
States of America for 1869 te that “while other products of 
“ Yucatan agriculture m Ren occasionally have become unprofitable either 
“ in consequence of adver y iiaae features to which the peninsula is 
“ subject, or through commercial fluctuations, the Sisal hemp has never 
& been subject to such drawbacks, a fact eteibrtable to the universal 
“ usefulness of its fibre and the unconquerable vitality of the plant, 
‘6 which easily survives the effects inherent to the nature of a riverless 
“ rocky desert, and the severe trials of a six months’ tropical sun. 
“a knowledge of the Sisal hemp plant,” continues Dr. Schott, “its 
“ culture and uses, Yucatan is indebted to the Maya Indians, the direct 
“ descendants of those remnants of the Toltecs who, after the fall of 
“ their empire in the valley of Mexico, emigrated to Central America 
“ and Yucatan.’ 
An account of the Sisal hemp industry in Yucatan has lately been 
published by the Government of Jamaica. This was furnished by 
ing to this writer the plant known locally as Sacqui (probably according 
to m meni the variety longifolia, ) is a generally cultivated. 
is said to yield the largest quantity of fibre, which is characterised by 
flexibility, emai strength, and miee It has been already men- 
tioned that Dr. Schott selected the Vaaei as furnishing the best quality, 
and the Sacci (Sacqui) the largest quantity of fibre. It is, however, 
generally agreed that the bulk of the fibre exported from Yucatan, and 
called from the former port of shipment Sisal hemp, is the produce of 
the Sacqui. The chief port of shipment now is Progresso 
The | which supports the fibre industry in Yucatan is of 
W 
acter, The plan 
thrive best and yield the largest See of fibre in satiny rats fly arid 
districts, only a few feet above the level of the sea, Moist land or rich 
land is Prano unsuitable, for although the plants would grow in 
