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When the sticks are first collected, they are 
chosen because of length of internode. A good 
length internode is chosen and a part of an internode 
on either side of it is taken, so that it may be as well 
preserved as possible. The stem is cut off about 
eight inches to one foot below the selected internode 
and nearly the whole length of the internode above 
is taken, the total length of the piece cut from the 
stem being from 5^ to 6^ feet. After drying 
and seasoning is finished, the superfluous length is 
removed and the cane is shipped with a length of 
only about two feet more than the length of the 
manufactured stick. This is sufficient to allow 
enough for the bending of the handle. 
Stems of Rotan Semambu with internodes too 
short for the manufacture of Malacca sticks are 
known as Rotan Chinchang and have relatively low 
value. They are used for broom handles, cleaners for 
chimneys and drain pipes, and are sometimes used 
for furniture, either in a split or an unsplit condition. 
Occasionally, other species of rattan may have 
very long internodes and, when this is the case, 
they may be used as Malacca canes, but much the 
largest part of the supply seems to come from the 
one species. 
A brief description of the plant Rotan Semambu 
is as follows: Several stems grow from one root 
clump. The stems are unbranched and very long, 
sometimes over 400 feet. Flagella large and very 
thorny, 12 — 14 feet long and growing from the 
leaf-sheath. “Leaves 8 feet long, sheath green 
armed scantily with short, flat, dagger-shaped yellow 
£3 -42 / 
