Sisal in Fiji.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 2502, 6 September 1890, Page 3

Sisal in Fiji.

The production of sisal hemp and other fibres, which has attracted so much interest of late, is apparently to be taken up in earnest in Fiji. At a meeting of planters from various districts held at Suva a short time since, a considerable number of those present undertook to plant with aloe areas of from 20 to 50 acres in each, in a great measure to test the values of the different soils for this cultivation, the question of the introduction of dressing machinery being left until the plants shall have madesome advance towards maturity Meantime, all possible information will be gathered on the subject of the different machinery and processes of dressing practised in other places. What is believed to be the true sisal plant can be found growing wild in considerable abundance in several parts of the group and to all appearances thriving well in soils useless for cultivation of any of the present export products. Some small parcels dressed by rude appliances were sent to London by the M. and A. Company of Australasia last year, and these were valued by experts at from £35 to £42 10s per ton. The experiments were not, however, followed up by the production of a parcel large enough to test its economic value as regards market realisations placed against cost of production.