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Straw prepared from leaves of vigorous plants growing in the 

 shade is considered the best. Leaves from plants growing in open 

 places, where they are fully exposed to the sun, yield a straw that is 

 coarse in texture and assumes a reddish tint, and is, therefore, only 

 suitable for coarse work 



The leaves of this plant are also largely used for thatching houses* 

 If good, ripe leaves are used, and the thatcher is an experienced hand, 

 taking care to give the roof a thorough fumigation after thatching, the 

 material will remain in good condition for a period of twenty to thirty 

 years. 



Preparation of Ippi-appa Straw for Hats, 8fc. 



Young, unopened leaves are used for preparing the " straw". The 

 leaves should be gathered when the leaf-stalks are from six inches to 

 two feet in length. If the stalk has attained a length of more than 

 two feet the straw obtained never becomes white but assumes a dirty 

 yellowish tint. 



Having selected the leaf, it is divided down the centre into halves, 

 leaving a portion of the stalk attached to each half. From the two 

 sides of each half or division, three or four of the greeu segments are 

 removed. Then the nerves or "bmes" of the segmeats must be re- 

 moved, and at this stage the opera or has to decide whether coarse or 

 fine straw is required. If coarse straw is desired, then only a few of 

 rthe leaf segments are torn away with the nerves, but if the operator 

 wishes to secure fine straw, a broader section is removed. This is done 

 by again slitting one of the original divisions at each side, guagingthe 

 width of the straw required, which will be obtained from the C3ntral 

 part after removing the outside portions. 



The selected straw is now placed in a pot of water whioh should be 

 boiling, and it is kept boiling for about half an hour till the stalk to 

 which the straw is attached becomes somewhat soft. If boiled t >o long 

 the stalk will get so tender that the straw will drop off, and it cannot 

 then be bleached and cured. 



When taken out of the boiling water, the segments must all be care- 

 fully separated down to the stalk, the straw is then hung thinly 

 .on lines in the open air where it is exposed to the sun and dew for three 

 days and nights. Slight rain does no harm, but rather assists in 

 the bleaching process, heavy rain, however, may spoil the straw. On 

 the whole it is c msiderel safer to move it under cover during rain, as 

 it might get soaked, and, in the absence of sun for any length of time, 

 it would probably become mildewed, and consequently useless. 



This bleaching and drying constitutes the curing process, but before 

 the straw is used, it is damped to render it pliable for plaiting, just 

 sufficient straw being moistened at a time to keep the plaiter supplied 

 with material. To moisten it and cause it to be perfectly pliant, it re- 

 quires to be dipped in water and put aside in a cool place about ten 

 minutes before use, or it may b3 kept wrapped in a damp cloth. 



One leaf of the Ippi-appa produces what is known as a " head" of 

 straw, and about ten heads are required to naake a hat for an^adult. 

 For an extra large hat as many as twelve heads are necessary. 



The finest straw only is used for hats, and the coarse is worked up 

 into hand-baskets and brooms. 



