A  m.  Jouiv  Pharm. 
July,  1900. 
Cultivation  of  Agaves. 
329 
brushes,  paper,  etc.,  from  the  leaf  fibres;  food,  drink  and  medicine 
from  the  sap;  soap  substitutes  from  the  leaves  and  roots,  handles 
for  lances,  fishing  poles,  razor  strops,  scouring  mats,  and  walls  for 
houses  from  the  flower-stalks ;  needles  and  thread,  thatching  for 
roofs,  and  fodder  for  cattle  from  the  leaves.  The  plant  itself  is 
much  used  for  hedges. 
FIBRES. 
The  Mexican  agaves,  from  which  fibre  is  extracted,  have  various 
common  and  local  names.  In  commerce  and  in  books  of  travel 
these  names  have  become  greatly  mixed.  Dr.  Rose  says  that 
"  maguey  "  is  a  generic  term  applied  to  most  of  the  agaves  proper, 
i.  e.t  those  having  evergreen  leaves.  "  Lechuguilla,"  which  means 
"  cabbage-like,"  is  applied  to  many  of  the  smaller  agaves  as  well  as 
to  other  plants. 
Tampico  fibre  or  Tampico  hemp  is  the  term  applied  to  all  fibre 
shipped  from  the  port  of  Tampico  on  the  Gulf  Coast,  and  under  this 
term  is  included  the  fibre  of  several  species  of  agave  as  well  as  that 
from  one  or  more  species  of  yucca.  "  Ixtle  "  is  the  fibre  of  the 
short-leaved  agaves,  and  "  guapilla "  that  of  the  linear-leaved 
species.  "  Tapemete  "  and  "  Huila  "  are  local  names  for  the  fibre 
from  certain  agaves,  the  latter  being  a  very  coarse,  harsh  fibre, 
mostly  used  for  making  heavy  ropes.  "  Henequen  "  or  "  Sacci  "  is 
a  fine  white  agave  fibre  produced  in  Yucatan,  while  "  Sisal  hemp," 
"  Sisal  grass  "  or  "  Yaxci  "  is  produced  in  Southern  Mexico,  chiefly 
in  Campeche. 
PREPARATION  OF  FIBRE. 
The  preparation  of  Tampico  hemp  is  best  described  by  an  eye- 
witness, Mr.  E.  W.  Nelson,  as  follows : 
"The  leaves  are  from  15  to  30  inches  long.  Only  the  tender,  un- 
folded leaves  forming  the  central  bunch  are  used,  as  the  fibre  of  the 
old  outer  leaves  is  too  coarse  and  brittle.  This  central  spike  of  un- 
opened leaves,  called  "  Cogollo,"  is  gathered  by  means  of  a  short 
staff,  4  feet  long,  with  an  iron  ring  fitted  by  a  ferrule  to  one  end. 
"  The  iron  ring  is  slipped  over  the  cogollo  and  a  quick  wrench 
breaks  it  loose,  and  it  is  then  placed  into  a  basket  on  the  laborer's 
back.  The  man  gathers  a  backload  in  this  way  and  proceeds  to  a 
large  bush  or  small  tree,  where  he  can  get  shelter  from  the  sun, 
