S3 



The preparation of the land for abaca must vary with different local 

 conditions. The most common practice is, after the land has been 

 burned over, to plant at once, without any preliminary plowing or 

 other preparation of the soil. The abac^ shoots are set out at regular 

 intervals, camotes (sweet potatoes), mongos, cowpeas, or velvet beans 

 being planted at the same time. These secondary crops grow rapidly, 

 soon cover the ground with a dense growth, and thus to a large extent 

 prevent the growth of weeds. This method may be followed where it is 

 impracticable to secure labor, animals, or implements, or where the land 

 can not be thoroughly cleared. It is not, however, a system to be rec- 

 ommended. Where it is practicable to do so, the land should be plowed 

 and harrowed before planting commences. This system will be more 

 expensive at the outset, but the more rapid growth of the crop and the 

 increased yield on land thus prepared will, in the end, more than pay 

 for the additional first cost. 



SEED SELECTIOJf. 



Considerable differences in the quality and relative quantity of fiber, 

 as well as in size and extent of growth, exist among the different 

 varieties of abaca. A comparative stud}' of these varieties has shown 

 that the most remunerative among them are Tangoiigon (Lagurjuan), 

 Maguindanao (Samponanon, Laob, Ynosa, Samorong puti), Bangu- 

 lanon (Alman ?), Libuton (Libutanay), Punucan, and Arupan (Tili- 

 tian, Sina-Moro, Puteean Grande, Baounon). Seeds from these varieties, 

 therefore, and only these varieties, should be selected for propagation. 

 The rest should be avoided as carefully as possible, excepting in certain 

 instances where the fiber of a particular variety is desired for special 

 purposes, such as the manufacture of cloth. It is probable that the 

 perfecting of a machine will remove the undesirability of a few of the 

 inferior varieties. 



Another fact that emphasizes the importance of seed selection is the 

 adaptibility of certain varieties to certain kinds of soil. Whenever a 

 soil is alluvial deposit underlaid by gravel at a depth of a few feet, 

 the Tangofigon, Bangulanon, and Punucan varieties are best adapted to 

 it; while, where it is a deep mellow loam, the Maguindanao, Libuton, 

 and Arupan thrive best. 



Many grave mistakes have been committed, and considerable losses 

 sustained, by planters at the time they started their plantations through 

 ignorance of the different varieties of abaca. The large plants and 

 excellent appearance of some of the varieties, such as Baguisanon Lawaan 

 (Lackbanon, Ijalas and Tinabono), Pulajan (Baguisanon itom, Caguisan 

 etc.,), Agutay, and Baguisanon (Banguisan, Lawisid, Macalibre, etc.,), 

 make the inexperienced planter as anxious to secure them for his plan- 

 tation as the old shrewd planter is to part with them. 



