36 
[ Eep. No. 564. ] 
strongest rope or cable. It is asserted that they hold the South American 
vessels during the peculiarly violent hurricanes of that climate, when Eu¬ 
ropean ships, moored with iron chain-cables, and those of Russia hemp, 
are continually parting from the latter, and drifting at the will of the 
tempest. It is admitted by our own naval officers that it makes the finest 
rope for running rigging. It makes, also, fine thread for sewing, and ma¬ 
terials for bags and canvass work. The mode of preparation is very sim¬ 
ple, requiring no rotting, &c., but only to have the green rind scraped 
from the leaf by a sharp-cornered stick, resembling a two-edged wooden 
sword, about two feet in length; after which process, (which is a quick one,) 
the fibres are ready for use. The next specimen was the Bromelia Pita, 
considered as a substitute, and that too of a superior character, for flax._ It 
propagates itself in a shady sandy soil; the mode of preparation similar 
to that described. The prospect of these plants becoming acclimated, by 
a fair experiment, is strengthened by the fact that the Agave Virginica, 
though inferior in character, is found as far north as,the State from which 
it derives a part of its name. A striking merit recommendatory of the at¬ 
tempt to introduce and propagate these foliaceous fibres, is the adaptability 
and facility of their cultivation in the poorest and most sandy soils of Car¬ 
olina and our Southern section; in this respect resembling our palmetto, 
which also furnishes a fibre that might be made useful, though of , an in¬ 
ferior quality. Of the value of the yield of these plants, a statement was 
exhibited of an investment of ^10,000, the precise result of which we do 
not recollect; but are fully persuaded that, at the end of three years, the 
nett profit was unusually great. In addition to the above. Dr. Perrine 
has, for many years, devoted his zeal and talents to the forwarding to 
southern Florida of many species of valuable vegetables, which yield 
farinaceous roots, delicious fruits, healthy beverages, precious oils, &c. of 
whose fate he cannot precisely tell, owing to the distressed state of the 
country. Your committee cannot, in conclusion, do otherwise than rec¬ 
ommend Dr. Perrine’s enlightened efforts to the favorable construction 
and support of his countrymen, and especially to the patronage and foster¬ 
ing aid of Congress, believing his aim to be the offspring of that honorable 
ambition which delights 
“ To scatter plenty o’er a smiling land. 
And read its hist’ry in a nation’s eyes.” 
[ From the Southern Agriculturist. ] 
Jlcclimating Nursery of Tropical Plants. 
We publish the following letter from Dr. Perrine with great satisfac¬ 
tion, believing, as we do, every man who adds to the productions of his 
country, acquires for himself a claim upon the gratitude of the public. It 
is much to be regretted the unsettled state of the country has so far de¬ 
ranged the doctor’s plans, as to compel him to locate a temporary nursery 
at Key West.’^ The enterprise is every way praiseworthy, and we hope 
^Finally commenced at Indian Key, in August 1833, where upwards of 200 species and va¬ 
rieties are planted in boxes for removal to the main land, when the Seminole war shall cease. 
See extracts of letters from Charles Howe, Esq., inspector of the port and postmaster at Indian 
Key, and of extracts of letters from J. Dubose, ex-inspector and light-house keeper at Cape 
Florida. 
H. P. 
