11 



formed of the overlapping leaf sheaths. The leaves are oblong, deltoid 

 at the base, bright green above, glaucous beneath, petiole from 0.3 to 1 

 meter long. The sheaths grow from the fleshy, central core until the 

 sheath formation is completed, when the flower bud develops and forms 

 the flowering spike which varies in size and length with different varieties. 

 The flowers are borne in clusters arranged at intervals along the rachis, 

 each cluster being subtended by a large membranous bract. The flrst 

 few bracts which subtend the real flowers are larger and more conspicuous 

 than the rest that subtend the false flowers. The latter bracts are so 

 densely laid one upon the other that they form a kind of flower cone. 

 This cone is smooth, glossy, and of a color ranging from dull violet to 

 light green. The fruit is green, oblong-trigonous, 5 to 8 centimeters 

 long, 2.5 centimeters in diameter, not edible, but filled with large, black 

 seeds. 



While the abaca plant closely resembles the banana, the two -may 

 easily be distinguished. The abaca is ordinarily smaller than the banana, 

 its stem is more slender and usually of a darker color. The abaca leaf 

 is a darker green, narrower, more tapering, and of a firmer texture than 

 that of the banana. The petiole of the abaca leaf is of a light green 

 color while that of the banana is ashy. A peculiarity of the abaca is a 

 dark, thread-like line running lengthwise on the right-hand side of the 

 under surface of the leaf. 



There are many different varieties of abaca, often six or eight in one 

 locality. The principal differences between these varieties are in color 

 and shape of stalk, color and size of leaves, greater or less tendency to 

 produce suckers, and in development, quality, abundance and strength 

 of fiber. The desirable qualities in an abaca plant are: A plant which 

 is hardy, grows rapidly, and vnthstands draught, and which produces 

 fiber in abundant quantity, of good quality, and easily extracted. 



VARIETIES OF ABACA. 



As many as fourteen, or more, varieties of abaca are under cultivation 

 in the leading abaca provinces. The principal differences among these 

 varieties are in color, size, and shape of the stalk; tendency to produce 

 suckers; and in yield and quality of fiber. The color and shape of the 

 flower cone can not ordinarily be depended upon as distinguishing 

 characteristics, excepting in the Lubuton and Punucan varieties where a 

 marked difference in color can easily be detected. The way the leaves 

 hang on the stalk, as well as their size and shape, will be referred to 

 occasionally. 



There is also a great difference in the degree of hardiness in the dif- 

 ferent varieties of abaca. Some varieties may thrive fairly well under 

 conditions where others less hardy will fail altogether. The abaca 

 planter should be able to identify the leading varieties, and should be 



