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“...157
and it claims a record for the attention of those who cultivate
this valuable Fibre in Turks Islands.) '
Another variety (Agave rigida, var. Sisalana) was very
freely distributed in the Bahamas by His Excellency Sir Henry
Blake, when he was Governor in that colony ^). The inhabitants
now see the great importance of this industry, and the Government
has been induced to forbid the export of any plants for three
years. This variety is of a dark green colour, and has no spines
on the edges of the leaves. The absence of spines on the edges
saves trouble and expense in harvesting.
SOIL.
Pg. 82. Any dry, poor land will suit Sisal Hemp, but
rocky, gravelly soil is the best for the production of the
finest fibre. Moist land is not suitable, nor rich land, like old
Sugar Estates, for though the leaves grow well and fast, the
fibre is poor, and small in quantity. Shade is prejudicial, even
to the young plants.
PLANTING.
..... The plants are put out in straight rows: the...”
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“...159
bales are pressed either by a screw or by a hydraulic press,
and great care is taken to make the bales neat-looking and of
uniform weight.
MACHINERY.
Preston says: The first farm I visited, Chenkj was
running six of DAeths fibre machines, or wheels 50 inches
in diameter, eight inch face and eight knives or scrapers, driven
by a No. 7281,10 horse power, Marshall, Sons & Co. s Stationary
Engine, and each wheel was cleaning the leaves at the rate of
20 to the minute, or 8000 per wheel for a days work; two
men at each wheel, standing between the wheel and rack
containing the leaves, feed the machines as fast as their hands
can move one boy, to two wheels supplies the feeders, and
three others carrying away the fibre to the drying ground
adjoining.
It is the most simple thing possible, requiring no skilled
labour. One fibre machine is required for every hundred acres
of plants.
Pg. 84. The engine is driven by an Indian. Many of the
engines are supplied by Brown...”
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