12 



sufficiently familiar with their characteristics so that he may determine 

 which varieties are best suited to conditions in any given locality. This 

 question is one of great importance, especially to the prospective planter. 



This subject is obviously full of difficulties inasmuch as some varieties 

 shade one into another, rendering it extremely difficult to describe the 

 minute differences existing among them; besides, variations in soil and 

 climatic conditions cause changes in certain characteristics of the same 

 variety. A comprehensive study of the varieties of abaca throughout 

 the Philippine Islands is 5'^et to be made. It is believed, however, that 

 the following data on this subject will be of assistance to the abaca 

 planter. 



In different localities the same varieties are known by different names. 

 The following names of varieties are used in southern Mindanao where 

 our principal studies and experiments have been made : ( 1 ) Tangongon, 

 (2) Maguindanao, (3) Bangulanon, (4) Libuton, (5) Punucan, (6) 

 Arupan, (7) Puteean, (8) Sinaba, (9) Agutay, (10) Baguisanon La- 

 waan, (11) Baguisanon, (12) Pulajan, (13) Puspos, and (14) Kawa- 

 yanon. The first eight are the principal varieties, and the last six 

 are the undesirable ones that should be avoided for reasons hereafter 

 given. 



TANGOS-GON. 



{Tangongon, throughout Davao, Iligan, and other parts of Mindanao; Lagur- 

 juan, Leyte; Samorong itom, Albay and Ambos Camarines. ) 



Color of stalk. — The color of the Tangongon stalk is both light and 

 deep purple, with hardly any green lines running through as in most 

 other varieties. Often the color on the outward side of the stalk is 

 deeper, almost approaching black, due to its exposure to the sun. The 

 dark and glossy asi)ect of the Tangoiigon hill is peculiar, and few other 

 varieties can be mistaken for it. 



Size of stalk. — The stalks may grow to a great height and size, espe- 

 cially in what the natives call the "male Tangongon" or "Tangongon 

 Lawaan." Stalks measuring 6 meters in height, weighing 90 to 115 kilos, 

 and containing from 2 to 2.5 kilos of dry fiber are occasionally found. 



Shape of stalk. — The stalk tapers as in most other varieties ; the ratio 

 between the circumference at the base and at the top being 2.1 to 1. 



Tendency to produce suckers. — The male variety, that has b^n men- 

 tioned before as bearing large stalks, does not produce as many suckers 

 as the female variety, which has smaller stalks. In other respects the 

 two behave exactly the same. On an average tlie number of stalks in 

 the Tangongon hill can be estimated at 10 to 12. 



Quality of fiber. — The fiber is coarser and stronger than that of the 

 other varieties, but not so white. Its coarseness and brownness are partly 



