( 9 ) . 
It can be propagated only by “bulbils,” since no 
suckers are produced. 
Recent experiments carried out at the Department 
of Agriculture to determine the percentage of fibre 
produced from freshly cut green leaves of various 
varieties of hemps have yielded the following 
results : — 
Dressed fibre, 
per cent. 
Furcraea gigantea (old plants) 1,82 
„ „ (young plants) 2.74 
Agave rigida var. sisalana 3.79 
Total fibre, 
per cent. 
2.24 
3.28 
4.49 
The fibre was extracted in each case after the leaves 
had been retted for eighteen days. 
These results show that Sisal produces a larger 
percentage of fibre than Mauritius, also that the 
young Mauritius produces a higher percentage than 
the old, indicating that it is unprofitable to allow 
Mauritius to become too old before cutting. 
The higher percentage of fibre produced by Sisal 
as compared with Mauritius, together with the fact 
that the former commands a higher price in the 
market, points to the advisability of growing Sisal. 
It must, however, be noted that Mauritius’ produces 
a heavier crop of leaves per acre, and the question 
which remains to be decided is, which class of fibre 
is the more profitable under Malayan conditions? 
This will depend on which makes the better growth 
in any locality, due allowance being made for the 
heavier charges for handling the Mauritius. 
