60 



School at Manila and which is well adapted to the making 

 of tikug matting. Since then similar looms have been con- 

 structed and sent out to various provinces. Tikug mattings 

 woven on these looms are somewhat stiff but of good appear- 

 ance and will probably wear as well as the average foreign 

 matting. 



At present tikug hats are of local importance in some 

 localities in the Visayas. They serve well as cheap farm 

 hats and if made in large quantities should find a ready 

 export sale. 



Tikug cushions of various kinds for the home and for 

 carriages have been made in the public schools. It is a 

 mistake, however, to try to make them with a plush border 

 in imitation of Japanese carriage cushions, as velvet looks 

 incongruous with tikug straw. A plain tikug border would 

 not only be cheaper, but greatly improve the appearance 

 of the cushions. As with mats, very pretty color and 

 designing effects can be secured on the cushions. 



Among the minor articles made from tikug are tobacco 

 cases of various kinds. 



Tikug slippers are made in a number of places and sold 

 locally. They are, however, not very satisfactory as they 

 wear out too soon. 



MATTING RUSH. 



{J uncus effusus.) 



This rush, which is cultivated by the Japanese for their 

 finest mats, is found growing wild in the Philippines in 

 marshes at an altitude of 4,500 feet or more. It is there- 

 fore found in the highlands of the Mountain Province and 

 on some Mindanao mountains. 



The round stalks of the plant, a meter or more in height, 

 arise from rootstocks, which, as they continue their growth, 

 send out new stalks. The base of these stalks is surrounded 

 by short sheathing leaves brownish-red in color, while sev- 

 eral centimeters from their tip arise a number of small 

 unbranched or branched flower stalks. These bear small 

 flowers not arranged in spikelets. The small, yellow seeds 

 occur in brownish capsules whose walls ultimately divide 

 into three parts. 



