16 



Quantity of fiber. — Every 100 kilos of stalk contain about 1.75 kilos 

 of dry fiber. 



In general appearance this variety is very similar to Maguindanao and 

 most of the f ollovring varieties ; hence very few planters give it a separate 

 name. It is extensively grown, and can be seen in almost any district 

 where abaca is extensively cultivated. 



There are three characteristics peculiar to this variety. These are, 

 the comparative shortness of the stalk, the comparative thickness at the 

 top, and the change in the color of the strips shortly after they are 

 separated. This latter characteristic, as previously mentioned, is probably 

 due to an excess of tannic acid in its sap. On account of this last pecu- 

 liarity, the Moros of the Tagum Eiver Valley in the District of Davao 

 call it "Tilitian," meaning a stain. 



PUTEEAN". 



(Puteean, throughout Davao, Cebu, and Mindanao; also Puspos, in Davao; 

 Laguis, in Leyte; and Laoh, in Oriental Negros.) 



Color of stalk. — Very similar to that of Maguindanao, with the possible 

 difference of being slightly darker and less lustrous. 



Size of stalk. — Both in thickness and height of stalk it resembles 

 Bangulanon. 



Shape of stalk. — The thickness of the stalk at the base is about double 

 that at the top. 



Tendency to produce suckers. — Somewhat less than in either the Aru- 

 pan or the Maguindanao, or about the same as Tangongon. 



Quality of fiber. — Very white, as the word implies. Strippers claim 

 that it is more difficult to extract Puteean than either Maguindanao or 

 the Bangulanon fiber, but if any difference in this respect exists it is 

 very slight. 



Quantity of fiber. — About the same as Arupan and Maguindanao. 



A bad reputation (to some extent, unjustly) has been attached to this 

 variety. Although it is neither hardy nor produces many and large 

 stalks to the hill, yet its fiber, both in quality and quantity, approaches 

 that of Maguindanao. It receives its bad reputation for the reason that 

 almost any small unhealthy hill of hemp, whether it is Puteean or some- 

 thing else, is called "Puteean." Thus it has been condemned more 

 through mistaking it for some of the inferior varieties, such as Baguisa- 

 non, Puspos, etc., than because of any undersirable qualities that it 

 actually has. 



The real Puteean, when grown in its favorite soil — soft sedimentary 

 loam — is often mistaken for Maguindanao, as the color of its stalks is 

 then very similar to that of the Maguindanao; but, to the experienced 

 eye, the tapering of the Maguindanao stalks and the arching of its leaves 

 afford a plain contrast to the less tapering Puteean stalk and the straight 

 growth of its leaves. 



