MA XI LA HEMP. 23 



boards inches in width and as long as the bed is wide, and the sand 

 beater already mentioned. The piece of hoard should be placed 2 inches 

 from the end of the bed and a line drawn with the dibble (dose to (he 

 board across the bed; this will mark the position which the first row of 

 cuttings is to occupy. Each cutting - should be put in with the aid of 

 the dibble, first making a deep hole with the instrument; then the base 

 of the cutting should be put into it as far as it will go, allowing the 

 bottom leaf or Leaves to rest on the sand and pressing- the sharp end 

 of the dibble once or twice down into the sand close to the stem of the 

 cutting, firming it in its place. By this operation the cutting should 

 occupy a space of about 2 inches each way. When a row is put in the 

 sand the board should be placed as close to it as it will go and two or 

 three sharp taps given it with the sand beater, which will still further 

 help to firm the cuttings; then the work should proceed as before. 

 When a batch of cuttings is put in. enough water should he given 

 through a large sprinkler to settle the sand around the bases of the 

 cuttings. After the beds are filled the subsequent treatment should 

 consist of frequent slight syringings in preference to heavy watering 

 at any one time. The atmosphere should never be allowed to become 

 dry. During periodical spells of warm weather the heat should be 

 turned off and a little air given, but not enough to cause drafts in the 

 house. 



MANILA HEMP. 



IMPORTANCE OF INTRODUCTION INTO THE UNITED STATES. 



The plant which yields the fiber known as Manila hemp is a species 

 of banana (Miisa textilis). It is indigenous to the Philippine group 

 anil other Pacific islands south to the Moluccas. The hemp-growing 

 industry is conducted almost exclusively in the Philippines, as in some 

 parts of the islands the climate is perfectly adapted to the growth of 

 the plant, its principal requirements being a moderately high temper- 

 ature and a well-drained, moist soil. The Manila hemp grows to a 

 height of 20 feet, and requires at least 3 years to reach the stage 

 which is best for the production of the fiber. 



It may be mentioned here that what is commonly called the trunk 

 of the banana plant is not really a trunk, but merely a continuation 

 of the leaf stalks, the outer ones folding over or clasping the inner 

 ones in such a way that a trunk-like formation is the result. The 

 fiber is found in this trunk-like body and is harvested shortly after 

 the plant comes into flower. 



In the recently issued Pronouncing Gazetteer and Geographical 

 Dictionary of the Philippine Island- it is stated that nearly 100,000 

 long tons of Manila hemp are annually exported from the Philippines, 

 chiefly to the United States and England. The first grade of fiber 

 from 1885 to 1801- ranged in price per kilogram (2,201 pounds), 



