232 



INDUSTRIAL PLANTS 



fibei'.s that isolation of the latter is imneeessary for many 

 purjjoses. Manila, pineapple fiber, southern moss, straw, 

 rush, maize-fiher, broom-corn, rattan, bamboo, coir, and 

 vegetable sponge will serve as examples. 



Manila, sometimes called "manila hemp," is obtained 

 from the fleshy leafstalks of a banana-like plant (Fig. 219) 

 grown almost exclusively in the Philippine Islands. The 

 fiber is extracted by scraping away the surrounding soft 



Fig, 21S, I. — ,)utp (X'"ri:huni>i ulitorius (A) and C. ,:a ii.si/ldris (D). Linden 

 Faniil.\-, TUiiiria). A, floweriuf;: and fniitiuj; toi) of iHit-hi-rli jute. 

 /.*. fiowerinK top uf podded jutr. (Srhumaiin.) — Annuals aljout 2-3 

 111. tall; loaves lij;ht srcen; flowcr.s whiti.sh yellow; fruit dry, elongated 

 in pot-horlj jute, glolailar in the other speeies. Native home, India. 



Fig. 21S, IF— Podded .Jute. Fruit. (liaiUou.) 



parts witii a dull knife. Both a coarse and a fine fiber are 

 thus obtained, the latter coming from lu'ar the edge of the 

 stalk. The former is much stronger even than the true hemp, 

 and makes the Ijcst of cortlagc. It is highly valued also for 

 mats, bagging, and sail-clotli, whili' fi-om old ropes of it is 

 made manila paper. Manila bagging s(■r^'es fur stiffening 

 ])iaster of Paris in nuiking (he building )nat(>rial known as 

 "staff" which is exteiisi\'ely use(l foi- (he ornamentation of 



