34 



numerous leaves 1 cm. or less in width, longitudinally folded, 

 and about 1 m. high. The grass is found in flower from 

 August to December. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



In the Philippines, vetiver is found growing wild in open 

 wet lands on banks of rice paddies, ditches, and on dikes. 



PREPARATION. 



Stalks.^ — Straight flower stalks of the proper size are 

 selected and their inflorescence and outer covering are 

 removed. The stalks are then put in boiling water and 

 allowed to boil for about twenty minutes. After taking 

 them out of the water they are dried in the sun for two or 

 three days. Each stalk is then scraped with a sharp knife 

 until it is smooth and clean. They are then cut into the 

 lengths required for hat making or for other purposes. 



Roots. — The roots are prepared for use by dipping them 

 in water for about twenty minutes and then pounding them 

 lightly with a wooden club to remove their epidermis. 



USES. 



Stalks. — In the Philippines the flower stalks are used for 

 hats, but the industry is not of importance in any district 

 in the Islands. The method given in the Albay Division 

 Circular No. 71, series 1910, for making cogon hats may 

 also be applied to the manufacture of vetiver hats. It 

 consists in winding two straws around and around in ever 

 enlarging circles in the shape of a phonograph (flat) record, 

 to form the top or crown of the hat. New stalks are intro- 

 duced when necessary. These stalks are held in place by 

 passing a double thread- (one from above and one from 

 below) over and under each of these two fibers. The sides 

 are then begun by running the double fibers around until 

 the sides are as high as it is desired to have the crown. The 

 sides are held in place in the same way as the crown. The 

 brim is made like the top of the crown. 



* From a report to the Director of Education by Mr. L. D. Gregg, 

 supervising teacher of the district of Silay-Saravia, Occidental Negros. 



" The use of white thread No. 20 is recommended. About 20 of 

 these threads 1 m. long are needed for a hat. 



