4io 
and there have been extensive cultivations of it in the West Indies. 
A leaflet dealing - with the cultivation < f this species in the Lalbagh, 
Bangalore, has recently been published by Mr. CAMERON of the 
Botanic Gardens there. Five thousand plants were introduced 
from Florida in 1892 and poling (flowering) commenced in 1901. 
Each flower pole produced upwards of 2,000 bulbils. The soil 
recommended is loose, stony and poor ground. The plant grows 
larger in rich land but the fibre is less in quantity and quality. 
Plants have long been cultivated in the Singapore Botanic Gar- 
dens, but they seem of very slow growth. Perhaps the country is 
too damp for it or our stiff clayey soil does not suit it. It might 
do better in the hills of Penang and Province Wellesley. 
L. & J. Rt ebony, Telegrams. Hanfrie.-bow, Hamburg. 
Consumption of Sisal hemp — practically covering the production 
oi this coTnmodity - 
1903 
1 00,000 
tons. 
1895 
5 5 >000 
tons, 
[ 902 
90.000 
.. 
1894 
54,000 
1901 
85,000 
1S93 
50,000 
n 
1 900 
8 r ,000 
1 r 
1 892 
56,000 
j ) 
1899 
80,000 
r> 
1 891 
46,000 
1 t 
1898 
60,000 
jj j 
1 890 - 
36,000 
1897 
72,000 
j? 
1889 
38,000 
)) 
1896 
60,000 
? 1 
SISAL IN YUCATAN. 
Hencquen, or sisa! hemp, is grown in Yucatan, in this Consular 
•district, at an elevation of from 28 to 100 feet above sea level on a 
strip of country generally calculated to be about 40 miles from the 
sea inwards, in which zone the temperature ranges from 45° to ioo c 
Fahr. with a mean of about 85°. The plant from which this fibre is 
produced is of the family of the Americans agave. It flourishes on 
arid land where the soil is very thin, resulting in the strength of the 
plant being driven into I he leaves instead ul the t oots, while the 
roots appeal to run along the surface, and from these the shoots are 
produced and in turn planted. It is very hardy, producing the 
whole year round, and from the time of first giving fibre, when 
about six years old, continues producing leaves for from 12 to iS 
years. 
