BRUSH AND MAT MATERIALS. 



157 



Whisk, Mexican (Epicampes macroura, Graminese). The roots of 

 this plant are exported under the name of " Raiz de Zacaton." It has 

 been used in France and Germany in the manufacture of velvet and 

 clothes-brushes, and for horse-hair bristles. The fibres soon become 

 brittle, even with only slight usage. Hair-brushes and combs have been 

 made from the roots of this species. 



The coarse and tufty roots are collected by hand. 



Very little treatment is necessary to prepare the fibres, beyond 

 immersing the roots in water and drying them in the sun. 



Fig. 104. Mexican Whisk. 



Mexican Whisk fibres have a yellowish white appearance ; they are 

 remarkably flexuose, strong in texture, and will bear a fair amount of strain. 



Hamburg is the great market for this fibre ; also the United States 

 and France ; but in England it has not taken hold to any great extent. 

 The price varies from 5d. to lOd. per lb., according to the quality of the 

 material. The amount imported shows a considerable increase in lute 

 years as compared with former years. 



Fig. 104 shows a prepared bundle of the " Mexican Whisk " when 

 ready for the use of the brushmaker. The fibres of Mexican Whisk, 

 when made into brushes, have a good rough-and-ready cleaning action. 

 They are more stiff than lively. The breaking strain in pounds from a 

 test gave -25, '25. 



