January i, 1890.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
509 
been satisfactory, and it is very unlikely that this can 
be done with a plant like Ramie, in which the in- 
dividual fibres are so completely immersed in gummy 
matter. Hence the subject has been divided into two 
parts. The first is concerned alone in the removal of 
the fibre in the form of ribbons from the green stems, 
either in the fields or in their immediate neighbour- 
hood. The second is devoted to the treatment of 
these ribbons and in their conversion by chemical 
and other processes into filasse, or fine white silky 
fibres ready for the spinner. The first process will 
naturally take place where the plants are grown, iu 
the Colonies or elsewhere, and machines like those of 
Favier and De Landtsheer, or processes like that of 
Fieury-Moriceau, may be adopted according to the 
special circumstances of the planter. Sufficient pro- 
gress has now been made in the working of these 
machines and processes to justify careful trials being 
undertaken with them both in India and the Colonies. 
If these machines or any others tbat*may be forthc min£ 
prove entirely satisfactory, and ribbons can be produced 
at a low initial cost, the question of their conversion 
into filasse is one which will naturally come into 
prominence. The conversion of ribbons into filasse 
will very probably, at first at least, take place in Europe, 
where chemicals and skilled labour are the more readily 
available. In some countries it may be found advis- 
able later on to establish central factories or usinea on 
the spot (to save freight charges on the ribbons), and 
ship only the filasse to Europe. In any c se once a 
Ramie industry is well started, there can be no doubt 
numerous countries will seek a share in it, and only 
those possessing special advantages for the growth of the 
plant, a supply of cheap labour, and good facilities for 
transport and shipment can hope to make it a success. 
The best maket for Ramie at present appears to 
be France. What little is imported into this country, 
in the form of Ohina grass or Rhea, is bought up for 
the French market. In the Monthly Circular of 
Messrs. Ide and Christie for the 15th October 1889, 
China grass is quoted " quiet " at 31s. to 35s. per cwt. : 
and Rhea, " no business," at 14s to 10s. per cwt. 
With regard to what is known in commerce as '' China 
grass," this is hand-cleaned fibre shipped usually from 
Chinese ports. It arrives in this country in small 
parcels, the yearly importation btiog only about 100 
tons. It is nearly all taken up by continental buyers. 
Rhea is the term applied to machine-cleaned fibre, 
generally in the form of ribbons or half -cleaned stuff . 
The price is much less than China grass, and in case of 
large shipments would probably not exceed about 71. 
or 8i. per ton. It is important therefore for Bamie 
planters to aim at the production of ribbons at a cost 
not exceeding about 41. or 51. at the port of ship- 
ment. Important elements in such production would 
be to plant Ramie only in places where the 6oil and 
climate will allow of three or four crops to be reaped 
per annum ; where labour is very cheap and abundant, 
and where good facilities exist for transport and 
shipment. D. Moeeis, 
SISAL HEMP. 
Sisal Hemp is extracted in Yucatan from several 
plants, but the true plant (Agave rigida) is orie nearly 
allied to the Koratoe (Agava Morrisii), a native of 
Jamaica. 
The true Sisal Hemp plant exists under several 
varieties, but the one which is most largely cultivated 
is of a greyish-green colour with thorny spines on 
the edges of the leaves (Agave rigida, var. elongata.) 
The Department, with the aid of the Government 
and the British Consul at Progresso, was able to secure 
one dozen plants of this variety from Yucatan, but 
it has proved quite impossible to obtain any more, 
as the plants there wish to preserve the monopoly. 
There are now about 100 plants at Hope Gardens, 
and they are being propagated as fast as possible. 
Another variety (Agave rigida, var. Sisalana) was 
very freely distributed in the Bahamas by His Ex- 
cellency Sir Henry Blake when he was Governor in 
th;it Colony. The inhabitants now see the great im- 
portance of this industry, and tho Government has 
been induced to forbid the export of any plants for 
three years. This variety is of a dark green oolou r 
and has no spines on the edges of the leaves. The 
absence of spines on the edges saves trouble and ex- 
peuse in harvesting. There are a few of these plants 
iu the Hope Gardens. It has been ascertained that 
this variety grows in the Caicos Islands, and His Ex- 
celle cy Sir H. A. Blake has directed that arrangements 
shall be made for the importation of as many as can 
be obtained. It is expected that these plants will 
arrive next lebruary. 
There is another plant wich also yields a large 
quantity of the Sisal Hemp exported from Yucatan, 
namely, Silk Grass (Fwcroea cubensis). There is al- 
ready a large quantity of this plant in Jamaica, and 
there ought to be no difficulty in planting out a large 
area. However, it only yields from 2 to 3 per cent, 
of fibre, whereas the true Sisal Hemp plant yields 
4 per cent. Another species (Furcroea gigxntea) is 
the Mauritius Hemp of commerce. 
Mr. D. J. Stoddart wrote a pamphlet in the year 
1886, on the cultivation of Sisal. Hemp, which was 
printed at the Government Printing Establishment but 
is now out of print. Mr. G. Preston was sent as a 
Special Commissioner to Yucatan by the Government 
of the Bahamas to enquire into the working of the 
Fibre Industry, and his Report was published during 
the present year. 
Not<-s have been drawn up from these Reports for 
the benefit of those who have not the means of 
consulting them: — 
Soil. — Any dry, poor land will suit Sisal Hemp, 
but rocky, gravelly soil is the best for the produc- 
tion of the finest fibre. Moist land is not suitable, 
nor rich land, like old Sugar Estates, for though the 
leaves grow well and fast, the fibre is poor and 
small in quantity. Shade is prejudicial, even to the 
young plants. 
Planting. — Young plants are the best for planting 
out, and they should not exceed two feet in height. 
If the plants have to be carried a long distance, the 
roots should not be trimmed, but when they are 
planted out, the roots should be cut off down to 
the trunk, and the dry leaves pulled off. The plants 
are put out in straight rows : the distance between 
the rows being 12 feet, and between the plants 6 
feet iu the rows. There will then be about 6'JO plants 
to the acre. Roads, running perpendicular to the 
rows, may be formed at iutervals of 10 chains. It 
is neces-ary to keep the plants at this distance apart, 
for if they are too close, the leaves may be damaged 
iu high winds, resulting in great loss of fibre. Great 
care is taken in Yucatan to put out the plants quite 
upright, and stones are even placed to support them 
in a proper position, for they grow as they are planted. 
The rainy season is the best time for planting. 
Stoddart gives the accompanying plan for layiDg 
out a field : — 
A B C D 
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