Smithsonian Report, 1945. Edward 



Plate 9 



1. INTERIOR OF A Fl BER-PROCESSI NG FACTORY, PANAMA. 



The abaca stalks are first crushed into a "blanket," which then passes through the decorticating machine. 

 The cleaned fiber passes through squeeze rolls, is then artificially dried, and finally is baled. (Photograph 

 courtesy United Fruit Company.) 



2. Abaca Decorticating Machine. 



The crushed abaca stalks as they pass through the decorticating machine are carried over curved meta 

 plates, and the fiber is cleaned by a scraping process which removes all pulp and waste material. (Photo 

 graph courtesy United Fruit Company.) 



