ON THE BANANA AND PLANTAIN. 119 



abaca. The difference that exists between the fibres of the different 

 species of banana plants, appears to be attributable to the fact that some 

 fibres of wild plants, and especially those of the banana, are more or less 

 modified by cultivation. The abaca is found in the volcanic islands of 

 the Philippines, and in the neighbouring Archipelago ; still it is princi- 

 pally in the pueblos of Donsol, Sorsogon, Tabaco, Carneli, and Quipa, 

 that the cultivation is principally carried on, and from whence the best 

 material is obtained. The only difference between the abaca and other 

 plants of the banana tribe, is the rich dark green hue that pervades every 

 part of the former. The abaca has very little care bestowed on its cul- 

 tivation, as it is grown only for its stalks, and it is an advantage rather 

 than otherwise that its fibres should retain their natural coarseness and 

 tenacity. Nor does it require so rich a soil as the edible varieties ; it is 

 usually planted on the slopes of mountains, where the land has been 

 newly broken up. The ground is carefully and frequently cleared of all 

 obnoxious weeds during the growth of the young plant, and the stalk is 

 cut when the fruits first make their appearance. At the end of the first 

 crop, they have monthly, good suckers springing up, and that, too, during 

 the whole time that the plantation lasts, which is from five to seven years. 

 This duration of course varies with the nature of the soil, the fertilizing 

 properties of which this crop exhausts very rapidly, especially as no manure 

 is applied. The textile material is obtained in the following manner : — 

 The stems are cut down and stripped of their leaves. It is next divided 

 into long strips of two fingers in breadth, then passed between a thick 

 plank, placed in a horizontal position, with a knife resting edgewise 

 The material is then drawn through with one hand, whilst the other 

 presses heavily on the back of the knife, and in this manner the pulpy 

 matter is scraped and cleared off, leaving the textile fibres bare. These 

 are put to dry in the sun, care being taken to protect them from rain 

 and moisture. They are then beaten lightly with sticks, again exposed 

 to the sun, and, lastly, the filaments are separated according to their 

 degrees of fineness. In this manner three sorts of fibre, of varying 

 quality, are obtained, the 1st, called bandala, from the outer sheaths 

 of the stem, which is the strongest and coarsest, and from which ropes, 

 &c, are made." The 2nd, known by the name of Jupis, which is the 

 finest, is procured from the inner layers, whilst the 3rd, the tupoz 

 comes from the intermediate layers of the tissue, and from this last fabrics 

 and gauzes are manufactured. Two men employed at this work, one 

 in separating the outer coats, the other using the knife, can prepare from 

 24 to 26 lbs. avoirdupois a-day. 50 feet length of banana will furnish 

 from 24 to 26 lbs. of abaca fibre, or 143 to 145 lbs. to every 2£ acres. 

 It is cut at least ]0 times a year, which gives a mean return of 1,760 

 lbs. of bruised abaca, worth from hi. to 10Z. If the process be pro- 

 perly conducted, at least a lb. of thread, or taking the produce of 2^ 

 acres for a whole year, 3,520 lbs. of abaca will be obtained, worth at 

 Manila about 20Z. The abaca intended for weaving, is bruised in a 



