409 
introduced to all parts of the world as ornamental plants and many 
grow well or fairly well in the Straits. There is a very large num- 
ber of species of Agave , but of these only a few have any value 
as fibre plants. Twenty different kinds were experimented with 
in 1 89 1 , in Washington with a view of discovering which pro- 
duced good fibre. The plants were, however, all greenhouse 
plants and it may be assumed that the fibre would not be as strong 
as in wild plants. The greater number of these produced fibre of 
ncr use for trade purposes. 
k The two best of these plants in cultivation in the Straits are the 
American Aloe ( Agave Americana) and Sisal Hemp Agave rigida 
par. Sisalana, 
Agave Americana is easily known by its thick grey leaves, an 
ornamental white edged variety is also often grown in gardens. 
It is propagated by suckers and when it flowers often produces 
bulbils as do the other species in the axils of the flower spikes from 
which it can be readily reproduced. Like all the group it perishes 
after flowering though the lateral suckers usually continue to grow 
as independent plants. 
The leaves when full grown attain a length of 3 to 4 feet or more, 
but the plant lias a somewhat slow growth in most parts of the 
Peninsula, and does not seem to develop to as large a size as it 
does in America. This is probably due to the wetness of the cli- 
mate, as if planted in very damp shady spots it is apt to become 
stunted and make very slow growth. In hot dry open places es- 
pecially on rocky and gravelly soil it does much better. 
Leaves grown in Singapore were put through Mr, SCHlRMER’s 
machine and gave excellent results, the fibre coming out strong 
white and clean. The fibre has a good reputation and valued at £30 
to £40 per ton. It takes colour easily, is light and very elastic, 
In India it is said to be superior in strength to coir, jute or some 
hemp. The absence of a good preparing machine seems to have 
been the sole reason that this plant has not been more exten- 
sively cultivated for its fibre. In good localities it is fit to crop in 
about three years. Only the four or live lower leaves are cut from 
each plant as a rule, but as long as three uppermost leaves are left, 
the plant continues to thrive. 
The plants are set 5 feet apart so that about jpoo plants can be 
grown in an acre. From shoots or suckers they take from 5 to 6 years 
before they can be cropped. It requires a light and dry soil, and 
needs neither manuring nor ordinary weeding. The out-turn per 
acre in India is about 40 to 70 tons of leaf per year, giving iA tons 
of fibre. It is used for cordage, twine carpets, and in the Azores 
for lace. 
Agave rigida var. stsa/a </, -Thm is a native o! Mexico and 1* 
probably the best of the fibre Agaves. The fibre is of high quality 
t/W 
