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“...simple. N shade of any kind
is allowed, bush is cut down, and trees taken up by the roots.
Any plant of quite low growth may be planted between the
young plants to give catch crops. When the plants are
about two years old, cattle may be turned in to keep the
grass low, and to prevent bush springing up.
Sisal Hemp plants thrive better without either hoeing on
ploughing. Various estimates have been formed of the duration
of these plants, but at any rate, they last from 12 to 20 years.
When they show signs of dying off new suckers are planted
between, and there need never be a vacant spot in the plantation.
HARVESTING.
When the leaf is ready for cutting, it will have inclined
downwards to a horizontal position, and its colour will have
become darker.
30 such bundles (of 50 leaves) are a days work, but, of
course, more can be done, if the variety is cultivated, without
the prickles on the sides of the leaves.
EXTRACTION OF FIBRE.
Pg. 83. Particular attention is paid in Yucatan to the
operation...”
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