
276 
| preparing the fields the land is cut during the dry season, is 
then aloro to spring up, after which it is “ sprig weeded, ” and burnt 
after the first fall of rain. The stumps are cut close to the ground, so 
as to be out of the way of the leaves of the plants, and to facilitate the 
running of the line for emai EE ieri the IN straight. 
Planting.—The plants out" on the different estates at 
various distances, being 6 6 ft. P671 11 nm tt by T ft., 4 ft. by 11 ft., 
6 ft. by 10 ft., 5 ft. by 10 ft., 4 ft. by 10 ft., 6 ft. by 9 ft., 5 ft. by 9 ft., 
4 ft. by 9 ft., 6 ft. by 8 ft. 
The rows are kept perfectly straight, for if they be otherwise there 
would be the greatest difficulty in getting through the fields. 
When planting, the labourers have a small line with the parcem: at 
which the plants are to be “ set out” knotted on it. and a pole cut to 
the length that the rows are to be apart. A man and a boy are mayen 
at each line. The boy drops the plants along the row at the distance 
marked on the line, and then removes the line to the next row, dropping 
the plants as before. The man does the planting, and is responsible for 
the rows being straight. When coming to a rock the planter does not 
turn aside, but goes on, and places the plant in the row a little beyond. 
The row Die facilitates weeding, admits a free current of air and 
sunlight, which is necessary to harden and give strength and texture to 
the fibre; allows the labourer to cut and bring out the leaf with despatch ; 
cannot be done if the plants are growiug over the field irregularly. 
Plants of less than 15 inches are not planted, 
MANAGEMENT OF THE CROP. 
Cutting.—In Yucatan the Henequen matures in five to eight years. 
In the Bahamas the Bahama hemp matures in three to five year 
To neglect cutting the leaves after the plant is moaned retards its 
growth, which causes it to “ pole,” at the appearance of which the life 
of the plant is ended, and the planter, after reaping a few leaves only, 
is regularly attended to, the life of the plant is prolonged, the plant will 
produce a greater number of leaves, and fibre of a greater length and 
superior qualit 
The plant is eut every three months, when seven to nine leaves are 
gathered. The leaf is taken from the plant with a * clean cut," makin 
the cut down and inward at an angle of 45 deg. 
Cleaning.—As soon as the leaves are cut ied are taken to the 
machine for cleaning. The cleaning is so arranged that one-half of 
the leaves = be cleaned is taken from the cuttings of the day previous, 
and ae other half from the une of the same day, as in this manner 
the work can be comm — early in the morning, and steadily carried 
on without waiting for leaves to be brought in from ife field. The 
eaves are not allowed to pee beyond half a day’s cleaning, 
o if left to dry beyond the second day they become tard, and the fibre 
extracted will be dar 
* "Wie the Raspador is used for extracting the fibre two operators 
. required; one stands to the left of the wheel and the other to the right, 
: —_ operator on t the left taking a leaf fastens the small end with a lever 
