28 



It is very probable, however, that this pandan will be used 

 ultimately in the Philippines to a greater extent and will 

 be found well adapted for the manufacture of a variety of 

 articles. 



Samples of fibers and hats received by the Bureau of 

 Education show that the imitation Panama hats exported in 

 large quantities from the Loochoo Islands are probably 

 made of the split strips of this pandan {Pandanus tec- 

 torius) or one having a leaf very much like it. The 

 bleached pandan fiber is also used by the Japanese in the 

 manufacture of very handsome hand bags. 



SABUTAN. 



{Pandanus sahotan.) 

 Sabutan (Laguna, Rizal, Tayabas). 



Sabutan is a pandan 2 to 4 m. high. Its full-grown 

 leaves, fine in texture, are 2 m. long and 6 cm. wide. It 

 rarely produces flowers and has not yet been found in fruit, 

 although diligent search for the latter has been made for 

 years by interested parties. 



Its botanical status is not known absolutely, as fruits have 

 never been collected. It may prove to be only a variety of 

 Pandanus tectorius. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



At present it is found growing in abundance in a semi- 

 wild condition along the eastern shore of Laguna de Bay. 

 It has also been reported growing wild in the forests near 

 Baler, Tayabas. It can be propagated by suckers, and its 

 cultivation can be extended advantageously to any part of 

 the Philippines having moist but well-drained soil. 



PREPARATION. 



The strips are prepared by removing the spines on the 

 midrib and along the margins. They are then partially 

 dried in the sun and divided into the desired widths by a 

 comblike instrument. By drawing the strips around a 

 board or other object, the water is expelled from the tissue. 

 Then several lengths of pandan strips are rolled up in a 

 bundle and kept in running or standing fresh water for 



