Fibres. 



210 



[April 1907. 



increase of machinery and the buoyancy of trade have been unexampled- Sooner or 

 later reaction will come and these prices must fall. Of that cotton growers must 

 take their chance like the rest of humanity. Bnt such cotton as is represented in 

 the samples from the Agricultural Department can be certain of fetching a good 

 price in comparison with all but the best fancy qualities of American, or on the 

 other hand with very rough qualities of Peruvian which mix with wool." 



The above information will, I hope, be of use to cotton growers. It will be 

 seen that the report is distinctly encouraging. 



Yours faithfully, 

 (Signed) H. L. CRAWFORD. 



The Secretary, Ceylon Agricultural Society. 



MAGUEY OR SISAL HEMP. 

 The cultivation of maguey in the Philippine Islands is, at the present time, 

 attracting very widespread attention. In those provinces from which maguey has 

 been exported for a number of years larger areas are now being planted. In other 

 sections where this plant ha,s been either unknown or unnoticed it is nowbein^ 

 introduced. Numerous requests for information as to the essential details regarding 

 this plant and its cultivation have been received by the Bureau of Agriculture. In 

 order to supply this information in as brief and simple a form as possible, the follow- 

 ing circular, printed in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Visayan, and Ilocano has been 

 issued : — 



Maguey. 



1. What is maguey ? 



A nsiver. Maguey is a plant having a short, thick stem which bears a large 

 cluster of green, spiny leaves. These leaves yield a valuable fibre that is used in all 

 parts of the world for making rope and twine. 



2. Why should maguey be planted in the Philippine Islands ? 



A. This plant flourishes through the long dry season ; it can be cultivated 

 on poor, rocky, or sandy soils where no other crop can be grown ; it can be cultivated 

 without the use of carabaos or other draft animals ; it is not injured by locusts or 

 other insects ; it requires but little care and attention ; and it is a good paying 

 crop. 



3. In what provinces can maguey be grown ? 



A. Maguey can be profitably grown in any province in the Philippine 

 Islands. The conditions are particularly favourable in Iloeos Norte, Ilocos Sur, 

 Union, Zambales, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor. 



4. How is a maguey plantation started ? 



A. A maguey plantation is started by setting out either the suckers which 

 grow from the roots of the old plants, or the small bulbs which are produced on the 

 flower stalk. 



5. Where can these suckers and bulbs be obtained ? 



A. They can be obtained in small quantities in nearly every province from 

 farmers who already have maguey. Suckers or bulbs of sisal hemp, which is a 

 superior variety of maguey, can be purchased in the Hawaiian Islands. Information 

 as to where maguey and sisal suckers can be secured will be furnished by the Bureau 

 of Agriculture in Manila. 



6. When should maguey be planted ? 

 A- During the rainy season. 



