226 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Supr., 1898. 
resisting dampness. The total export from Yucatan of Sisal hemp has already 
reached in value half-a-million sterling (Dr. Morris). The leaves are from 2 to 
6 feet long and 2 to 6 inches wide; the flower-stem reaches a height of 25 feet; 
the panicle of flowers is about 8 feet long, bearing an abundance of bulb-like 
buds.” 
The Department of Agriculture introduced to the Kamerunga State 
Nursery what appeared to the overseer some dried-up, worthless-looking 
rootlets of this plant in October, 1892. They were carefully planted, and in a 
very short time showed signs of life (they had been planted in a bush-house), 
and were soon ready for planting in the open. They have thriven wonderfully 
since, considering the little care bestowed on them, until at the time of 
writing they have probably arrived at what may be termed perfection, 
Four of the plants haye thrown up flower-stems, which appear to be 
25 feet high. An abundance of root plants grows atthe base, and in some 
instances show above ground at some distance from the mainroot. A quantity 
of them haye been distributed to various places—New Guinea, Thursday 
Island, and other islands in Torres Strait, ete. It would appear that these 
root plants offer the most ready mode of planting and propagating the species, 
as they appear in about four years after planting, whereas the flower-stalks 
develop after six years. The leaves, of which there are about 120, develop small 
spines on their edges after about three years’ growth, while the apex is armed with 
a horny-like spike, very formidable. Some, that were discarded when fibre was 
being extracted, attracted the attention of an aboriginal, who secured them 
for, as he said, spear-points, for which they are very suitable. The leaves, in 
some measured here, attained a maximum length of 6 feet, while the maximum 
breadth is some 5 inches. The base of the leaf is an inch and a-half in 
thickness, and is convex in shape at that part, while advancing upwards it 
becomes concave. 1ts colour is a dull silvery-green; the spike is a dark-brown. 
Altogether, the plant is very handsome, and, apart from its economic value, 
would form a desirable object for a large pleasure garden, particularly when 
it is in flower. 
The armed leaf would seem to offer itself ‘to the matter of defence. A 
grove of agave would be impassable to troops unless laid low by artillery. The 
work of destruction would in any case occupy considerable time, and go, 
perchance, prove a valuable aid in that particular. ‘The plants at Kamerunga 
were planted at 8 feet apart, but there should be 9 or 10 feet between each 
pleat) because the sharp end of the leaf often perforates leaves of the neigh- 
ouring plant. Perhaps this species should be recommended for planting 
along boundaries: no horses or bullocks could possibly get through a fence. of 
them, if they were planted 5 or 6 feet apart. Of course’some time would 
elapse before they were capable of resistance. 
Machinery is necessary for the economical extraction of the fibre. The 
leaves require no rotting, the crop could be taken direct from the field to 
the mill, and the results dried and packed for market in a few days. The 
leaves should be cut before they are over-ripe, if anything erring slightly on 
the side of immaturity. ‘The fibre so obtained will be finer, softer, more ductile, 
and a better colour than fibre from over-ripe leaves. The fibre should be 
extracted from the leaf as quickly as possible after being cut—the sooner the © 
better. As soon as the leaves are cut the juice begins to coagulate and becomes 
gummy, thus rendering it more difficult to remove the fibre. 
It might be stated here that a considerable quantity of plants are now 
available for distribution at the Kamerunga State Nursery. 
The price of a double scutching machine is about £110 in England. This, 
of course, would require a 4 or 5 horse-power engine to work it. 
HLOURCROYA GIGANTEA, van. EFANTENAT. 
This plant supplies the fibre known as Mauritius hemp. The fibre 
produced by Messrs. Bourgignon and Fronchet proved stronger than hemp, 
and resisted decay in water. M. Bouchard also testifies to the excellence of 
