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for the factory. Sisal hemp fibre can be prepared 
also by retting by hand labour, but the fibre is said 
to be weaker than, and of inferior colour to fibre 
prepared by decorticating machinery. 
A labour force of one coolie per two acres is said 
to be required, and a European Manager can super- 
vise a large area comprising about 5,000 acres. 
Sisal hemp is quoted at £36 per ton, August, 1923. 
Agave The Henequin of Yucatan, Agave 
cantula. rigida var. elongata; the Sisal of 
Hawaii, Agave rigida var. sisalana; 
and the Maguey of the Philippine Islands, recently 
identified at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as 
Agave cantula, are very similar plants. All have 
the short, thick stem, the aloe-like cluster of large, 
fleshy leaves, and the tall flower-stalk or “ pole,” 
which bears a large number of small “ bulbils,” or 
pole plants. The Hawaiian plant differs from that 
of Yucatan in having a shorter trunk, leaves smooth- 
edged, or bearing a few unequal teeth, and the fibre 
lessen quantity but superior in quality. Agave 
cantula is said to be variety cultivated in Java and 
prepared by retting. 
MAURITIUS HEMP. 
(Furcraea gigantea ) . 
Mauritius Hemp is very similar in habit of growth 
to Sisal Hemp ; in cultivation it is also very similar, 
except that the former is planted a little wider 
apart, say eight feet by eight feet. The method of 
preparation of this fibre is similar to that of Sisal. 
The quality of Mauritius hemp is not so good as 
that of Sisal and therefore it has a lower market 
value. 
