PRODUCTION OF HENEQUEN FIBER 
and produces from 20 to 30 leaves per annum. The fiber obtained 
from this variety is relatively coarse, strong, and white, and the 
yield is large. 
The chucun-ci variety, which is also widely planted, differs some^ 
what in appearance from the sac-ci (fig. 1). The leaves of the 
chucun-ci are broader and of a more pronounced greenish color 
and are also some- 
what marked with 
•small brownish 
spots. This variety 
matures more 
slowly than the 
other, but lives 
rather longer. The 
fiber i s relatively 
short but coarse and 
heavy. The yield of 
fiber is said to be a 
little less than that 
of the sac-ci. 
The quintan - ci, 
which closely re- 
sembles the chu- 
cun-ci, produces fiber 
of excellent quality, 
hut the yield is 
somewhat less than 
that of the varieties 
previously men- 
tioned. 
PLANTATION O R - 
GANIZATION AND 
MANAGEMENT. 
During recent 
years there have 
been modifications 
in both the organi- 
zation and the sys- 
tem of management 
of the henequen 
plantations, and 
changes are still oc- 
curring. Fig. 1. — A well-developed henequen plant of the " chucun-ci " 
The industry was variety ' 
organized and developed by a relatively small number of planters. 
The early estates have passed from one generation to another, 
steadily increasing in size and yield. As the production of hene- 
quen has been very profitable, these large planters have had 
abundant capital with which to develop and improve their es- 
tates. Furthermore, they have had at their command an abundant 
supply of very cheap labor. In clearing the land, planting the fields, 
and caring for the crops, any marked degree of econonry in the use 
