374 



FIBRES. 



SISAL FIBRE CULTIVATION. 



An industry that appears to have excellent prospects, but which has 

 attracted even less attention among planters in Southern India than camphor, is 

 that of sisal fibre. But, like camphor, sisal has its drawbacks; and the chief 

 of these I have always heard is the want of a good serviceable machine for separat- 

 ing the fibie from the leaf. Details of several new inventions in fibre-extracting 

 machinery have, however, been forthcoming in the last two years from different 

 parts of the world, while the best of those in existence before then are described 

 in Messrs. Mann and Hunter's pamphlet on "Sisal Hemp Culture" which was 

 published under the auspices, I think, of the Indian Tea Association, about a 

 couple of years ago. 



The favourite machine in Mexico, where sisal growing is a big industry, 

 is manufactured at Mazatlan. It weighs 1,870 lbs., costs ready for shipment £35, 

 and is capable of stripping 7,000 leaves in 10 hours. Whether this machine is as 

 good as is made out I cannot say, but in any case with so many clever mechanics 

 giving the subject their special attention, the appearance of a really satisfactory 

 machine can only be a matter of time. 



A good deal of misapprehension unfortunately exists as regards the 

 cultivation of sisal, which is now generally admitted to be the best fibre-yielding 

 agave, or aloe, as it is more commonly called in this country. It used to be said, 

 for instance, that this agave would grow anywhere and in any soil ; that it wanted 

 no pits, and that neither weeding nor digging were necessary. These very comfort- 

 able statements probably alienated rather than attracted the planter's sympathy, 

 for the very good reason that plants which were so accommodating would be sure 

 to be overproduced. This information, however, appears to be all wrong. Accord- 

 in? to Mr. F. G. Sly, the Acting Inspector-General of Agriculture in India, Avho 

 has recorded in a short Note the impressions he formed after a recent visit to the 

 plantation of the Dauracherra Fibre Company, the largest fibre company in 

 Assam. The estate in question, on which about 1,000 acres are planted with sisal, 

 has an average rainfall of 80 inches fairly well distributed, which is favourable 

 to the continuous growth of vegetation ; and sisal, Mr. Sly says, as far as he could 

 learn, has no prolonged period of rest. The soil on this estate is a fairly good loam, 

 and by no means poor, being virgin land which was under a dense growth of 

 mixed forest before it was reclaimed. Clay soils are unsuitable ; shade is bad ; 

 and any water-logging is fatal. 



As regards the planting out of sisal, so far from dumping in plants any- 

 where and anyhow on a wet day, as I have seen recommended, Mr. Sly prescribes 

 the following careful treatment. The young plants should be at least one foot 

 high and even longer, if possible. All weakly plants should be discarded. Pits 

 should be dug about one foot deep and 1| ft. square. In the earlier years, the 

 plants in Assam were set out too far apart; the most economical distance is now 

 said to be 9 ft. by 4£ ft. by 4£ ft., i.e., two rows 4£ ft. apart with 4£ ft. between 

 the plants in the row, and then a space of 9 ft. for convenience in cropping the 

 leaves. Mr. Sly mentions, by the way, that the machine at work in the factory on 

 this estate is the Torruella, one of which (price £600) will, it is estimated, treat 

 the produce of 600 to 800 acres of sisal ; and he adds that this machine has given 

 complete satisfaction in the treatment of sisal. "Altogether," Mr. Sly says in 

 conclusion, " the Company seems thoroughly satisfied with its prospects, although 

 most of the plantations are too young to yield definite results." To those who 

 desire further information on this subject I would recommend Messrs. Mann and 

 Hunter's book on " Sisal Hemp Culture " alluded to above.— Madras Mail. 



