232 INDUSTRIAL PLANTS 
fibers that isolation of the latter is unnecessary for many 
purposes. Manila, pineapple fiber, southern moss, straw, 
rush, maize-fiber; broom-corn, rattan, bamboo, coir, and 
vegetable sponge will serve as examples. 
Manila, sometimes called ‘“‘manila hemp,” is obtained 
from the fleshy leafstalks of a banana-like plant (Fig. 219) 
grown almost exclusively in the Philippine Islands. The 
fiber is extracted by scraping away the surrounding soft 
Jute (Corchorus olitorius (A) and C. capsularis (D), Linden 
fre. 218, 1. 
Family, Tiliacew). A, flowering and fruiting top of pot-herb jute. 
D, flowering top of podded jute. (Schumann.)—Annuals about 2-3 
m. tall; leaves light green; flowers whitish yellow; fruit dry, elongated 
in pot-herb jute, globular in the other species. Native home, India. 
Fic. 218, I11.—Podded Jute. Fruit. (Baillon.) 
parts with a dull knife. Both a coarse and a fine fiber are 
thus obtained, the latter coming from near the edge of the 
stalk. The former is much stronger even than the true hemp, 
and makes the best of cordage. It is highly valued also for 
mats, bagging, and sail-cloth, while from old ropes of it is 
made manila paper. Manila bagging serves for stiffening 
plaster of Paris in making the building material known as 
staff’? which is extensively used for the ornamentation of 
