254 
CXVII.—FIBRE INDUSTRY AT THE BAHAMAS. 
(Agave rigida, var. Sisalana.) 
In the pud em for March last, p. 57, information was give 
respecting a new Fibre industry at the Bahamas. Since that js 
gone of the] leaves of the plant have been received at Kew, and it 
has now been possible to determine the species, as shown in the following 
sete addis to the Colonial Office :— 
ROYAL GARDENS, E to the COLONIAL OFFICE. 
SIR, al Gardens, Kew, 18th July 1889. 
WirH reference to your gins of the 14th February 1887, and 
subsequent correspondence on the subject of the “Pita” Fibre plant of 
the Bahamas, I am desired by Mr. Thiselton Dyer to inform you that 
he has lately received from Sir Ambrose Shea stats of leaves of 
this plant, which have now enabled us to identify it 
. When specimens of boca ved plants growing at the Bahamas 
were forwarded to Kew two years ago, a description of which was 
forwarded with a letter du the 16th May 1887, the A ite plant 
was not among them. e various species of Agave are extremely 
difficult to distinguish, and it is quite possible that the plant de described 
as No. 1 Agave lurida was sent to this country under the i ——— 
that it was “identical with what is known locally as the “ Pita p 
ita? of the amas, which it is hoped will ie rise to 
a succes local industry, from the specimens of leaves that have now 
is a most interesting and valuable plant. There 
little doubt H is Agave Sisalana of Perrine, now generally recognised 
as a variety of Agave rigida of Miller. 
. A good description of the plant, by Engelmann, is quoted in the 
& Kew Bulletin for March 1887, p. 5.” 
5. This plant has doubtless reached the Bahamas, where we under- 
40 years ago. The absence of teeth on the leaves, their extreme length 
(often attaining 5—6 feet), and the robust and free-gro wing habit of the 
plant are qualities which render it one of the best, if not the best, fibre 
d E steps — taken of the Governor of the Bahamas " 
ipu os fully justified by the intrinsic merits of this Agave, and Mr 
the which have been obtained in this country on the quality 
and alie of the fibre 
* * * * * 
I have, &c. 
Edward Wingfield, Esq., C.B., (Signed) D. Morris. 
Colonial Office. 
