PRODUCTION OF HENEQUEX FIBER 17 
average yield of 1,200 pounds of fiber per acre on the producing areas 
of Yucatan, but under existing conditions it is probable that the 
average yield is less. 
LOCAL USES OF HENEQUEN FIBER 
Two mills in Merida manufacture cordage chiefly in the form of 
binder twine, which is put up in 5-pound balls, packed in coarsely 
woven sacks made of henequen fiber, and exported principally to 
Argentina and to the United States. Henequen sacks are also manu- 
factured at Merida, but are not exported, being used extensively in 
Yucatan and Campeche. Small quantities of fiber are used in Yuca- 
tan for making hammocks, hats, pouches, and other articles. 
COST OF PRODUCING HENEQUEN FIBER 
With the fluctuating cost of labor and the wide variation in condi- 
tions on different plantations, it is difficult to obtain data that will 
satisfactorily show the average cost of producing henequen in Yuca- 
tan at the present time. 
One itemized statement prepared by a planter shows a producing 
cost of 2.6 cents United States currency per pound. An estimate 
furnished by another planter shows a producing cost of 3 cents per 
pound. It lias been stated that the producer who receives 3 \ cents 
per pound for the fiber at the plantation can clean the fields already 
planted, harvest leaves, and prepare the fiber under existing condi- 
tions at a small profit. This profit, it is claimed by the planters, is 
not sufficient to provide funds for the planting of new areas or to 
encourage new planting. 
PRESENT PRODUCTION 
The production of henequen fiber in Yucatan and Campeche dur- 
ing recent years, according to data furnished by the Comision Ex- 
portadora, has been as follows : 
Production from 1912 to 1923 
Bales 
1918 768, 723 
1919___ 664. 972 
1920 953, 034 
1921 _. 626, 980 
1922 434, 036 
1923_ 612, 745 
CONDITION OF PLANTATIONS 
The condition of the plantations in Yucatan in July, 1923, although 
by no means all that could be desired, appeared to be improving. 
Work of cleaning the abandoned and semiabandoned fields had been 
organized, funds had been obtained for financing this work, and con- 
siderable progress was being made. Large areas still remained to 
be cleaned, however, and there were many fields so badly overgrown 
that they would have to be either replanted or abandoned altogether. 
The Comision Exportadora stated that it was not possible to furnish 
data showing the areas in satisfactory condition, in poor condition, 
and considered as abandoned. 
1912 
Bales 
814,610 
1913 
836, 950 
1914 
964, 862 
1915 
949, 639 
1916 
1, 191, 433 
1917 
733, 832 
