409 



introduced to ali parts of the world a- ornamental plants and many 

 grow well or fairly well in the Strait>. There is a very large num- 

 ber of species of Agave, but of these only a few have any value 

 as fibre plants. Twenty different kinds were experimented with 

 in 1 89 1, in Washington with a view of discovering which pro- 

 duced good fibre. The plants were, however, ali greenhouse 

 plants and it may be assumed that the fibre would not be as strong 

 as in wild plants. The greater number of these produced fibre of 

 no use for trade purposes. 



The two best of these plants in cultivation in the 5«:r i;r> are ihe, 

 American Aloe [Agave Americana) and S : sal Hemp Agave vi^ida 

 var. Sisalana. 



Agave Americana is easily known by its thick grey leaveSj an 

 ornamental white edged varietv is also often grown in garden^. 



It is propagated by suckers and when it flowrrs often produce? 

 bulbils as do the other species in the axils of the flower spikes from 

 which it can be readily reproduced. Like all the group it parishes 

 after flowering though the lateral suckers usuallv continue to crrow 

 as independent plants. 



The leaves when full grown attain a length of 3 to 4 feet or more, 

 but the plant has a" somewhat slow growth in most parts of the 

 Peninsula, and does not seem to develop to as large a size as it 

 does in America. This is probably due to the wetness of the cli- 

 mate, as if planted in very damp shady spots it is apt to become 

 stunted and make very slow growth. In hot dry open places es- 

 pecially on rocky and gravelly soil it does much better. 



Leaves grown in Singapore were put through Mr. ScilIRMEk'S 

 machine and gave excellent results, the fibre coming out strong 

 white and clean. The fibre has a good reputation and valued at £50 

 to £40 per ton. It takes colour easily, is light and very elastic. 

 In India it is said to be superior in strength to coir, jute or some- 

 hemp. The absence of a good preparing machine seems to have 

 been the sole reason that this plant has not been more exten- 

 sively cultivated for its fibre. In good localities it is fit to crop in 

 about three vears. Onlv the four or live lower leaves are cut from 

 each plant as a rule, but as long as three uppermost leaves are left, 

 the plant continues to thrive. 



The plants are set 5 feet apart so that about 2,000 plants can be 

 grown in an acre. From shoots or suckers they take from 5 to 6 years 

 before they can be cropped. It requires a light and dry soil, and 

 needs neither manuring nor ordinary weeding. The out-turn per 

 acre in India is about 40 to 70 tons of leaf per year, giving \\ tons 

 of fibre. It is used for cordage, twin** carpets, and in the Vzcres 

 for lace. 



Agave rigida var. sisala.u, — This is a native of Mexico and is 

 probably the best of the fibre Agaves. The fibre i^ of high quality 



