4 
of a 
gent spirit and of the stea "d hd een in the establishment of the 
industry, and public faith in its efficiency as an agent of Lis future . 
oe apnd increases as we proce in the work of inqui 
of drought, and this is Mr. Stoddart’s experience. It was also believed — 
in this Colony that it takes about three years after planting to bring the : 
leaf to a productive state, and this is confirmed by Mr. Stoddart, who- 
also affirms that it will then yield annually for 15 to 20 years without — 
any material outlay on its cultivation. The produce of an acre in foll - - 
growth Mr. Stoddart sets down at from one thousand to twelve hundred |. 
of promise. At a fair price he makes the money value of an acre about 
eighty dollars dere ha but His Excellency prefers a lower basis of 
calculation to cover all assumable adverse contingencies. The Governor 
in this view takes fifty dollars an acre annually, which gives a handsome 
in of profit on the cultivation. The return of wheat arg 
a enough placed at 25 bushels an acre, or es many d 
io 
ar an economic 
value beyond the favoured wheat-growing regions of the United States — 
. and Canada. We moreover find this difference enhanced by the fact - 
. that the fibre needs but one planting for 15 to 20 crops, while wheat — . 
. must be planted annually, and " liable to many injurious contingencies : 
from which the Sisal plant is exempt. 
These islands should be the Paradise of n working man. The 
and labour that may seek investment in this undertaking. 
. It is intended immediately to despatch a Commissioner kom this 
ae Government to Yucatan to make further inquiries, as it is of the utmost — 
importance to have the fullest information on the whole economy pF o 
. the — in which the veople of this Posay are now so v vitally 
x interested 
m D” -Colonial Secretary. 
E MB58l 780 —aj&. We 16580 
