134 FLAX, HEMP, AND OTHER FIBER PLANTS 



leaves of this plant. The abaca, a plant with large 

 leaves growing in the Philippine Islands, furnishes the 

 Manila hemp which is also extensively used for binder 

 twine. Ropes also are made from these fibers. 



Jute is a valuable fiber plant, raised mostly in India. 

 It is used for making rope and coarse fabrics. In the 

 Philippines a variety of pineapple is grown for the 

 fibers in the leaves which are woven into cloth. Coco- 

 nut fiber is used for making ropes and sailcloth. Raffia 

 is the coarse fiber from the leaves of a palm tree. 



QUESTIONS 



1 . What is the name of the cloth that is made of flax fibers ? 

 What part of the flax plant is used to make fibers ? 



2. Besides the fiber, flax yields what other important product ? 



3. What are the leading flax states of the United States ? 



4. How is the flax crop grown ? 



5. What products are obtained from the hemp plant ? 



6. What fiber plants are grown in tropical countries ? 



7. What two plants furnish nearly all the fibers for binder 

 twine ? 



PRACTICAL EXERCISES 



1. Obtain samples of tow from flax and hemp, sisal and 

 Manila hemp, and cloth made from the fibers of flax, hemp, and 

 jute. 



2. Crush a flaxseed on a sheet of paper and note its oily 

 character. Examine samples of linseed oil, flaxseed meal, and 

 oil cake. 



REFERENCES 



Farmers' Bulletins : 274, Flax culture. 



Yearbook of Agriculture : 1911, Fibers used for binder twine, 

 pp. 193-200. 



