PRODUCTION OF HEXEQUEX TIBER 11 
sionally spread on the fields, but its fertilizing value is not sufficient 
to justify its transportation to the fields unless this can be done at a 
very low cost. 
ENEMIES AND DISEASES 
Henequen has two enemies which are found widely distributed 
throughout the fiber-producing areas of Yucatan and which in the 
aggregate do a great deal of damage. These enemies are the so- 
called max beetle, Scypophorus aeupunetatus, and a small ratlike 
animal, the tuza. 
The max is a large black beetle, the larva of which bores into the 
base of the cogollo, killing the plant. This beetle is sometimes de- 
stroyed with Paris green or with gasoline, but usually when discov- 
ered it has already done such serious damage that the plant must be 
destroyed. In districts where the max is prevalent the planters fre- 
quently offer a reward for the collection of these beetles. Plants 
that have been attacked by the max -should be cut down and burned. 
The most satisfactory means of controlling this pest is to keep the 
fields in a condition of clean cultivation and free from old stumps 
or other decaying material. 
The tuza is not so serious a pest as the max, but in certain districts 
this animal does considerable damage. It is found chiefly in the less 
rocky lands, burrowing underground and destroying both young and 
old plants by eating the roots. Various methods are recommended 
for the destruction of the tuza. including the use of carbon bisulphid 
in the burrows or of corn or other food products that have been 
poisoned with arsenic or strychnin. 
Occasional reports of other insect pests or of diseases which attack 
henequen are received, but the damage is not serious. 
FIRE DAMAGE 
The most serious losses suffered by the henequen planters are 
caused by fire. During the long dry season the quantities of weeds 
and brush left between the rows when the fields are cleaned become 
as dry as tinder; and a fire once started in this material sweeps 
through a plantation with amazing rapidity, destroying in a few 
minutes a crop that it has taken years to produce. In some instances 
the fires are of incendiary origin, but more frequently the} 7 are the 
result of carelessness. The small planters who have made little clear- 
ings to be used for the planting of corn burn these clearings with no 
consideration for the safety of the large adjoining fields of henequen. 
During 1922 approximately 14,000 acres of henequen were de- 
stroyed by fire, and the losses during the dry season of 1923 were 
about 7,000 acres. One reason for this large fire damage during the 
past two years was that many fields which had been neglected and 
contained much undergrowth were cleaned during this period. As 
an organized effort is now being made to clean all the neglected fields 
of henequen, it is probable that the fire losses will be reduced during 
the coming years. 
HARVESTING 
The length of the period between the time of planting and the 
time when the first leaves can be harvested depends upon the variety. 
the soil conditions, and the care that is given the plantation. Under 
