2 
- 
The Hemps above enumerated are derived as follows :— 
i, Sisal Hemp, 
Agave rigida, MILL. 
(A. Ixtli, 
= elon 
c 
A. Sisalana, Perrine.) 
ii, Mauritius Hemp, 
Furcrea gigantea, VENT. 
iii, Manila Hemp, 
Musa textilis, Nens.* 
iv. Bowstring Hemp, 
Sansevieria zeylanica, WILD.* 
The fibres of endogenous plants, the chief of which are earet 
above, ar generally white if cleaned without fermentation, but ar 
easily discolo ‘Sia also weakened by the decomposition of the 
cacti and saccharine matter associated with them. Hence it is 
important that they should be cleaned either by mechanical or chemical 
processes as soon as possible after they are harvested. The _Tesulting 
under et he and it i is important to bear in mind that they will 
kad hon e ne or remunerative culture only idee certain special 
For e AREAN, the Agave plants yielding Sisal Hemp flourish in the 
dry districts of Yucatan tan, they require little cultural attention, and the 
fibre is cleaned by means of ee native labour, which is probably 
attainable in few Britith Coloni 
Hemp is produced entirely in the TEERDE Islands from a 
species of wild banana or plantain (Musa textilis s). It requires rich 
moist forest land, and while in its native country it is found to be easily 
cultivated ; it has been only moderately successful under cultiyation 
elsewhere. Here again the industry is supported by an abundant and 
cheap labour supply, which wtiatiten the fibre to be cleaned by hand at a 
cheap rate. 
Bowstring He emp is scarcely an article of commerce at presen 
adikouph locally it is used for many purposes, as in Ce lon, India, mad 
and West Coasts of Africa, where species of Ghnecvicrie are 
- 7 eid 
of cultivation, and partakes much of the character and habit of the 
plants yielding Sisal Hemp. Machinery has been used for preparing 
cen Pasi and while good prices ruled the industry was fairly 
remunera 
Wano a 
* These will be discussed in Bulletin No. 4 for April, 


