119 
The fibre is of a woolly character, but it is clean and bright, though 
a good deal discoloured by what appear to be insect stains. The le Soe 
of the staple is 1} inch to 1,3, inch, varying considerably in strength, 
but it is mostly very tender. It could probably be sold here at about. 
41d. per lb. at the present time 
Faithfully yours, 
(Signed) ^ Erwan HELM, 
John R. Jackson, Esq., 
Kew Museum, Kew. 
DXVIII.—SISAL CULTIVATION IN THE TURKS AND 
CAICOS ISLANDS. 
The steps taken to establish a fibre industry in these islands wer 
described in the Kew Bulletin, 1890, pp. 273-278. The plants ander 
mined at Kew 
‘cultivation were deter to be identical with those grown in 
the Bahamas (Agave iata. A further account of the industry 
= in the Kew Bulletin, 1892, pp. 31. 2. In the ME 
ract r o the Commissioner, 'Tu 
ad 
Aseistant-Cotiitiesionet reports that the plants are in sieeatlont health, 
and the only difficulty is the want of de mH machines to clear the 
leaves as they arrive at maturity. Since this report was written it is 
stated that machines have been inept d, and he export of fibre is 
likely to be greatly increased ; — 
xtract from a letter from the Assistant-Commissioner, Cockburn 
Harbour, to Commissioner, Turks fslands, dated 31st December, 1895. 
* Of the Sisal industry I cannot say much. At West e it would 
seem, if output be the criterion, much is not being done; what is 
would appear to be directed to weeding, clearing and systematic culti- 
vation, rather than to iaaa of the clean baled products. A limited 
number of the Blue Hills or Providence Cays people here get 
cupo" 
*In my recent visit to the scene of the wreck of the steamship 
‘Dorian’ I travelled day after day for a week through these 
stretches under inagis ne by the East Caicos Fibre Company, a 
In the Colonial Office Reports, No. 174, of 1896, it is stated that :— 
* The export of sisal or Bahama hemp "from the Turks and Caico 
Islands is gradually on the increase, the m declared for 1895 vain 
6202. With the gamara and improved machinery recently put up by 
each of the two companies engaged in this business, the output will 
probably be v larger." 
