15 



In the case of individual growors n a community, the desired result may bo attained by co-opara- 

 tion, and particularly when the plantations are reasonably contiguous. This will enable securing the 

 fibre without undue expense for transportation of the raw material to the machine 



The following is from a Report by Consul Thos. J. McLain : — 



'The progress made in the development of Sisal culture in the Bahamas during the past twelve 

 months is marvellous. One year ago there was scarcely a dollar of foreign capital, and very little local, 

 invested in this business in the colony, while to-day parties from Great Britain, Canada, and New- 

 foundland, representing large resources, are interested in Sisal, have bought tens of thousands of acres 

 of Government land, and are industriously engaged in clearing and planting the same to the full 

 measure of their ability to procure the material. A local stock company styled the Bahama liemp 

 Company, organized and managed by Nassau capitalists exclusively, has also purchased a large tract 

 of land and is developing the same, whilst thousands of acres are being planted in every direction by 

 individual owners of small pieces. American capital up to this date, I regret to say, for it is to its 

 own disadvantage, has been conspicuous by its absence. One company, however, styled the Inagua 

 Hemp Company, organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey, with D. D. Sargent, United 

 States Consular Agei.t at Inagua, as manager, has lately procured about 1,200 acres at Inagua and has 

 begun operations. 



' Messrs. Munroe & Co., of St. John's, Newfoundland, have obtained a grant of 18,000 acres of 

 crown land at Abaco, and are planting the same. Another tract of 20,000 acres has been allotted to a 

 London company on the same island. Mr. Alex. Keith, of Edinburgh, Scotland, has taken 2,000 acres 

 Andros Island, and is working upon it. But the largest demand has been lately made by two London 

 companies, who are said to be applying for not less than 200,001) acres between them ' " 



The Government of the Bahamas stated in July that "persons engaged in the industry are in- 

 creasing their cultivation, and capitalists from abroad are still investing therein." 



In order to encourage the planting of Sisal in Jamaica, the Government has imported lately from 

 Florida 25.000 plants of the same variety as grows in the Bahamas. This is in addition to over 51,000 

 already supplied to planters, and to over 20,000 planted in the Hope Gardens. The plants are avail- 

 able for distribution at a uniform rate of £5 7s. 6d. per 1,000, 10s. 9d. per 100, Is. Id. for 10, or l^d. 

 for one. It is thus possible for any one to obtain a few plants for experiment at a very small expense, 

 or in large quantities for laying the foundation of future fibre farms. Application should be made to 

 the Director of Public Gardens and Plantations, Gordon Town P.O. 



