SISAL
For a while it seemed that sisal might lead the Bahamas into prosperity. Sisal is a plant containing a long, strong fibre which is used for rope-making. The plant was introduced into the Bahamas in 1845, but was not produced in large quantities until the 1880s. It grew very rapidly in thin soil and seemed therefore ideal for growth in the Bahamas. The government realized that a great deal of uncultivated land could be used and offered Crown Lands to enterprising farmers at a cheap price. Many investors also came to the Bahamas from other countries. One such person was Neville Chamberlain who later became Prime Minister of Great Britain. He took charge of the Andros Fibre Company.
When the Bahamian government added a tax on incoming sisal fibres, the industry received a further boost. Then when the Philippines could not export their sisal crops due to war between Spain and the U.S.A. (1898-1902), the price of sisal rose. The Bahamas was able to increase her sisal exports to America.
In the early years of the 20th century came the collapse (1920s). After the war, America took over control of the Philippines and invested money in the islands for the cheap production of sisal. Again the poor Bahamian soil proved inadequate, even for the undemanding sisal plants. Bahamian sisal was not of as good a quality as the other types. Methods of manufacture needed modernizing. World prices of sisal became so low it became uneconomical to manufacture. All this meant disaster for the sisal industry and the manufacturing mills began to close down.
When the Bahamian government added a tax on incoming sisal fibres, the industry received a further boost. Then when the Philippines could not export their sisal crops due to war between Spain and the U.S.A. (1898-1902), the price of sisal rose. The Bahamas was able to increase her sisal exports to America.
In the early years of the 20th century came the collapse (1920s). After the war, America took over control of the Philippines and invested money in the islands for the cheap production of sisal. Again the poor Bahamian soil proved inadequate, even for the undemanding sisal plants. Bahamian sisal was not of as good a quality as the other types. Methods of manufacture needed modernizing. World prices of sisal became so low it became uneconomical to manufacture. All this meant disaster for the sisal industry and the manufacturing mills began to close down.
Ms. Rodgers' History BGCSE students.
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