CONTENTS. 



Page. 



Letter of transmittal 7 



Introduction 9 



History 10 



Botany 10 



Varieties of abacS 11 



Distribution Ij) 



Climate I9 



Soil 21 



The plantation 21 



Preparation of the soil 22 



Seed selection 23 



Planting 24 



Cultivation _ 2o 



Shade 2H 



Fertilizers 27 



Drainage and irrigation >.* 27 



Enemies 28 



Harvesting 28 



Extraction of fiber , 29 



Fiber-extracting machinery 3I 



After-treatment of fiber :-{2 



Description of fiber ;^3 



Yield : ;« 



Method of renewing old plantations 33 



Value 34 



Uses 35 



Utilization of abaca waste 35 



Estimated cost and revenues of an abacS. plantation 3H 



Concliision :'t) 



3 



