PRODUCTION OF HENEQUEN FIBER 19 
There are a number of different factors in the henequen industry- 
concerning which there is an element of uncertainty, any one of 
which may materially affect the future production of this fiber. 
Many of the larger planters are heavily in debt and are without 
necessary capital for the efficient operation of their plantations. 
There is a shortage of labor, a marked degree of restlessness among 
the plantation laborers, and constant fluctuation in the wage scale. 
Any marked increase or decrease in the world consumption of hene- 
quen or in the production of the different fibers which compete with 
henequen will materially affect the situation in Yucatan. 
HENEQUEN IN CAMPECHE 
The State of Campeche adjoins Yucatan, and the production of 
henequen in these two regions may be regarded as essentially one 
Fig. 10. — A neglected henequen plantation in Campeche 
industry. Although there are certain differences in the soil condi- 
tions and in the system of cultivation, the situation in these two 
countries is practically the same. 
The henequen industry of Campeche has suffered even more 
severely than that of Yucatan during the past few years. The pro- 
duction of henequen fiber in Campeche, which was formerly about 
50,000 bales per annum, is now only 20,000 to 25,000 bales, and the 
rehabilitation of the plantations in that State is proceeding rather 
more slowly than in Yucatan (fig. 10). 
The soil is less rocky and more fertile than that in the henequen 
areas of Yucatan. In consequence, the Campeche plants grow more 
vigorously, but the weeds and brush also flourish. It is claimed by 
the Campeche planters that this fiber is in every respect as good as, 
if not superior to, the Yucatan fiber. 
The labor situation is very unsatisfactory. There is a great 
shortage of plantation labor, and wages are high. Many of the 
laborers who formerly lived in the country on the plantations are 
