17 



SINABA. 



{Sinaba, in certain localities in Davao; Maguindanao, throughout the greater 

 part of Davao; Liajon, in Leyte; and Puteean, in northern Mindanao, Cebu, and 

 Negros Oriental.) 



Color of stalh. — The greater part of the stalk is usually green. To- 

 Avard the base purplish patches or lines are frequently seen. 



Size of stalk. — In thickness the stalks compare favorably with Arupan, 

 but in height they even fall short of Puteean or Arupan. 



Shape of stalk. — Ver)- similar to Arupan, if not exactly identical 

 with it. 



Tendencij to produce suckers. — The stalks in this variety are numerous 

 and crowded. In this respect it even surpasses Libuton, though it does 

 not come up to the average of Bangulanon. 



Quality of fiber. — The whitest, finest, and lightest fiber is produced 

 by this variety. 



Quxintity of fiber. — This fiber is both light and weak, and during the 

 two processess of extracting it, considerable percentage of it goes into 

 waste. Every 100 kilos of stalk contain about 1.35 kilos of dry fiber. 



This variety should have been given the name of "Puteean" because it 

 possesses all of the qualities conveyed by the meaning of the word. 

 "Sinaba" is a very local name, and is given to this variety because 

 of the close resemblance it has to the "Saba" variety of banana, the fine 

 and silky fiber of which is woven into what is called "Saba cloth" in 

 almost all parts of the Islands. 



This is another variety the identity of which has not been generally 

 known. 



AGUTAY. 



(Agutay, in Davao; AlmanC.), in Leyte; and, perhaps, Samorong itom, in 

 Albay and Camarines.) 



Color of stalk. — Very similar to that of Tangongon, only it does not 

 have the luster of the latter. 



Size of stalk. — The stalk never grows to any considerable size or 

 height. It rarely comes up to the Puteean standard. 



Shape of stalk. — About the same as the Libuton stalk. 



Tendency to produce suckers. — The Agutay hill produces very few 

 suckers. It and Tangoiigon have the least number of stalks in their 

 hills. 



Quality of fiber. — Very white, almost as white as that of Sinaba, with 

 the difference that it lacks the softness and luster that the latter has. 



Quantity of fiber. — Owing to occasional breaking of the strips during 

 the process of separating them, a great loss in quantity results. Every 

 100 kilos of stalk contain from 1.3 to 1.4 kilos of dr)^ fiber. 



