CHAPTER II
Sisal Fiber
The American cordage manufacturer is an importer; very little of the fiber entering into his product is grown at home. We have already seen how the principal cordage fiber—Manila—is brought from the Philippines. Fiber is also imported from Russia, from Italy, and from New Zealand, but we wish to speak now of the material which, next to Manila, is most used in hard-fiber cordage—Sisal—and which is secured from one of our nearer neighbors. This fiber is obtained from the leaves of a cactus-like plant belonging to the Agave family. While varieties of this plant grow in many parts of the world, it is cultivated most extensively in Mexico, the state of Yucatan being the chief center of production and Merida the capital of the state the principal market. Several railroads connect Merida with its seaport, Progreso, whence the fiber for export is shipped.
As Sisal more than any other fiber is used as a substitute for, or competitor of, Manila, we may make a brief comparison of the two.
The length of Manila fiber is usually from six to ten feet, while that of Sisal is only from two to four feet. The tensile strength of Sisal is not more than three-fourths that of Manila.
FIELD OF SISAL PLANTS
CUTTING LEAVES
TRIMMING OFF THORNS
The color of Sisal is quite attractive, being a yellowish white, with sometimes a slight greenish tinge. Some fine lots of the fiber are very nearly white, but it all lacks the gloss and brilliancy which are characteristic of good quality Manila.