216 CULTIVATION OF SISAL IN THE BAHAMAS 



branches young plants develop, so that the pole presents a rather odd 

 appearance, with the small plants growing out in the places usually 

 occupied by the flowers. When these young plants have attained a 

 height of from three to four inches, they fall to the ground and take 

 root. The old plants also reproduce themselves by means of suckers, 



Fig. 7. — a Branch of the " Pole " of the Sisal Plant. 



and hence, w^hen old and neglected, are often seen surrounded by 

 numerous smaller ones, as in the common houseleek (Sejnpervivum). 



Such is briefly a general description of the plant that seems destined 

 to occupy the capital and energies of the people of the Bahamas; for 

 it was this plant that was introduced there a few years ago by Sir 

 Henry Blake,^ then governor of the colony. Although the plants were 

 neglected, they throve and increased to such an extent that finally the 

 people looked upon them as troublesome weeds, and as such they were 



^ Governor Blake is generally credited with having introduced the plants. But as 

 early as 1854 an agave v^as sent by the British vice-consul, Baldwin, from Florida to the 

 Bahamas. It is not unlikely that this plant was the same as those introduced by Dr. 

 Perrine into Florida. 



