15 
[ Mep. No. 564. ] 
|)fent, like the cacao, grows best in the shade, and its leaves are long, nar¬ 
row, and slender; the fibres of one of which accompany this communication. 
'From this species is probably fabricated, in China, that beautiful glossy, 
fine,'and strong stuff, known here by the name of grass-cloth. The Sisal 
hemp of commerce is obtained from two varieties of another species of 
the agave, which have long been cultivated in the vicinity of Merida. 
To this species the subscriber refers the Manilla hemp, although he has 
not hitherto been able to obtain any satisfactory account of the plant which 
produces it, from our scientific and mercantile men, nor from books. 
Captain John White, of the navy yard at Charlestown, states his impression 
that it is obtained from the bark of a species of palm tree, but its texture 
'does not warrant that opinion; and Captain Morril, recently from Ma¬ 
nilla, confirms the inference above expressed by the subscriber. 
“ I3octor Hernandez describes nineteen species of agave as indigenous 
to Mexico, which vary more in the character of their interior substance 
than in the form and color of their leaves ; and, among these, the precise 
variety which produces the Manilla hemp will probably be found. Some 
:^pecies are prized for the beauty of their flowers, and some for the odor 
and others for the flavor of their fruit; but the subscriber limits his re¬ 
commendation to Government of those which are most valuable on account 
of the quantity and quality of their fibres. Their cultivation in the United 
States, he still believes, will form an era in our agricultural and manufac¬ 
turing prosperity, as distinguished as the invention of the cotton-gin. He 
has shown, in his former communications, the almost insuperable obstacles 
to his introducing these plants, unaided and alone; but he had, neverthe¬ 
less, the satisfaction to be apprized by Mr. Gordon, the collector of New 
Orleans, that the young Sisal-hemp varieties, sent by him to that city, had 
arrived in a thriving and vigorous condition. The subscriber believes 
that an act of the Legislative Council of Florida, incorporating himself 
and associates into a company for tiie cultivation of tropical exotics, will 
be necessary to accomplish the views of Government, as manifested in 
the Treasury circular of the 6th of September, 1827. 
He believes that he has information in his possession sufficient to 
attract capital to the enterprise. Once formed, the company might, in the 
sarne vessel, bring other useful exotics, although their pecuniary interests 
'Would confine them to fhe fibrous plants. Acclimated in the southern 
extremity of East Florida, they Would gradually extend up to the ad¬ 
joining States on the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic ocean. The seed 
of the IbgWood would probably be coVeted for hedges, on account of its 
beauty, novelty, and utility. The arnatto would be propagated, were it 
mferely as an ornamental tree. The India rubber would be sought at 
least as a curiosity, aiid so would the pimento. 
Ginger and turmeric present the stimulus of immediate profit. The 
‘Nankin and the tree cotton would find a genial climate. The tropical 
shrubs. Whose leaves are a substitute for indigo, and the tree Whose fruit 
Serves for soap, would likewise there find a home. The ^ramon^ would 
accompany them, to furnish. With its leaves and tender branches, the food 
for domestic animals in the driest seasons, and, with its fruit, a subsistence 
for the human family in times of scarcity of corn. In short, every useful 
tropical plant would likely be introduced by an incorporated company for 
cultivating the fibrous species at the southern extremity of East Florida.” 
The above, with some corrections, is from the Globe of the 19th instant. 
