Manila

a commercial fibre obtained from the stalk of the wild plantain of the Philippine Islands. This plant is related to the banana family. It is called Manila hemp, but the term hemp is, of course, a misnomer arising from the use to which the plantain fiber is put. The manila plantain has been introduced into India, Borneo, and Japan, but the supply of fiber for the trade is still derived entirely from Manila, whence the name. In growth, the stems of the leaves sheathe or overlap, forming a sort of trunk. When the plant is three or four years old it is cut off near the ground. The blades of the leaves are cut away, and the sheathing trunk of the leaf stem is slit into strips. These are scraped by hand until the pulp has been removed, leaving tresses of tough fiber. It varies in color from a creamy white to a reddish tinge. The combed fibers are from six to twelve feet in length. The Philippines weave the finest quality of fiber into a sort of cloth much worn by the natives. It is mixed frequently with cotton. The coarser qualities are washed, dried, sorted, and baled for export. The United States buys about $10,000,000 worth of manila a year. It makes the strongest and most durable hard rope known. It is stronger even than hemp. A well made inch rope will sustain a quiet weight of 7,000 pounds. See Sisal