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 awa}^ the surrounding soft 



Fig. 218, I. — Jute (Corchorus olitorius (A) and C. capsidaris (£)), Linden 

 Family, Tiliacea;). 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 drj', elongated 

 in pot-herb jute, globular in the other species. Native home, India. 



Fig. 218, II.— 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 

 l)laster of Paris in making the building- material known as 

 "staff" which is extensivelv used for the ornamentation of 



