6 
V. — Abutilon Thompsonii. ^‘Thompson’s Variegated Lantern 
Flower.’^ Order Malvacm. Garden origin. 
Twelve days’ maceration, stripped, and then scraped. Fibre 
supposed to be superior to A. molle and A. striatum. 
VI. — Abutilon venosum (Leraaire). “ Veined Lantern 
Flower.” Order il/o'/vacens. Mexico. 
A very ornamental species, of robust habit, and yields a 
superior fibre. Two crops of “ canes” may be readily obtained 
in a year in fairly good soil by proper management. Twelve 
days’ maceration, stripped, and then scraped. Suitable for fishing 
lines, textile fabrics, &c. 
yjp — A gave Americana (Linnaeus). “ American Aloe,’^ 
“Toddy Lily,” or “ Pita Hemp Pliant.” Order Amaryllidece. 
Tropical America. 
Agave Americana, under the various names of “ Century 
Plant,” “ Mexican Aloe,” Spanish Aloe,” “ Carata,” or 
“ Pita, ’Ms the most common and best known of the genus in 
this country. The drought-enduring character of the plant is 
extraordinary, and it Avill thrive in any soil, rich or poor. Barren 
waste lands in arid regions might be planted with profitable 
results. After, say, from six or seven years, the Agave will go 
on yielding annual crops of huge fleshy leaves, 4 to 6 feet in 
length, for a term possibly of eight or ten years longer. Spon 
observes that— “ The culture of the plant is being extended in 
America, but not to the extent it deserves.” The product is 
often known commercially as “Agave thread,” and is exported 
for admixture sometimes with Manilla hemp. The fibre may be 
separated by bruising the leaves, macerating, or by a boiling or 
steaming process. Most effective machinery for the preparation 
of it has been used of late years in Mexico and other parts of 
America, by the aid of which it can be made ready for cleaning 
a few hours after the leaves have been cut, or in the same Avay 
that “ Agave sisalina ” and other species or varieties are prepared 
at the Bahamas and Yucatan. Professor C. R. Dodge says that 
— “In Mexico the common kind is utilized in the manufacture 
of ropes for use in the mines, and, in some cases, for the rigging 
of ships.” In South America it has been used for large cables. 
Humboldt mentions a bridge in Quito, with a span of 130 feet, 
constructed of ropes made of this fibre, some of them 4 inches in 
diameter. The name “Pita” follows it to Spain and Sicily, 
where it is used for cordage and mats.” Dr. Foi'bes Royle says 
— “ That it has been found superior in strength to either coir, 
jute, or sunn-hemp. In a trial of strength, near Calcutta, the 
