272 
CCLXXVIII.—SISAL HEMP INDUSTRY IN YUCATAN. 
A general review of the Sisal Hemp industry in various parts of the 
d was given in the Kew Bulletin for February last. Those s 
cially interested in the subject cannot do better than obtain a copy of 
H f 
various machines in use in Yucatan-for extracting the fibre. It was felt 
that the success of the whole industry depended in a great measure upon 
this one point. 
t the request of Sir Ambrose Shea, Captain E. Jerome Stuart, 
the Resident Justice of Long Island, was deputed to proceed to Yucatan 
with instructions to study the whole subject of fibre cultivation and 
roduction in that country and draw a comparison between the circum- 
stances of Yucatan and Bahamas as regards soil, climate, and the 
general healthiness of the plants. Captain Jerome Stuart gave par- 
ticular attention to the character of the machinery used for extracting 
the fibre, and he gives the results obtained from each machine. ‘This 
part of his report will be read with interest. There are apparently no 
insuperable difficulties met with in Yucatan in extracting the fibre from 
Agave leaves. The total exports of fibre from Yucatan are of the 
annual value of m h illion and a half sterling, and if, as 
is shown by Capt erome Stuart, this large and valuable industry 
eapable of being continuously carried on machines 
in regular use there should be no difficulty in selecting one or more o 
would appear to possess no advantages not shared by other 
Nieve 

Report on the Fisre Inpustry of Yucatan addressed to Sir 
AMBROSE Suna, K.C.M.G., Governor of the Bahamas, by Captain 
E. Jerome STUART. 
o il of the Sau and its adaptability to the fibre 
industry, with the soil of that State: to find out the different species of 
Agaves plan and PIE AY o disease: the character o tho 
When in the State I visi ii 28 He enequen estates, and after careful 
inquiry i have the honour to submit the following report ;— 
m Som OF YUCATAN COMPARED WITH THAT OF THE BAHAMAS. 
.. The soil in the “fibre producing district" of Yucatan is graveliy 
a and stony, and varies in colour, being black, brown, and red. There are 
ze Meme om cere des ed cum on most of our islands, 

