The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-08-18
Panama Hats.

\ production of the lsthmus ofI
Panama IS the ~Jipajapa, a palm
like plant, OF whose unexpanded
leaves the far famed Panama hats "
are plated. These species of Carlu-
dovica IS distinguished from all
Others by being terrestrial, never
climbing, and bearing fan shaped
leaves. The leaves are from four 10
six feet high. and their lamina about
four feet across. The spate appears
toward the end of the dry season, IN
February and March. In the 18TH
mus the plant is called 'Portorlco,
and also .Jipijapa," but the latter
appelation is the more common,
and is diffused all along the coast
as far as Peru and Chill while in
Ecuador whole district derives It's
name from it. The plant is COM
mon in Panama and Darien, espec-
ially in half shady places, but Its
geographical range is by no means
confined to them 1t is found all
along the shores OF New Granada
and Ecuador; and has been found
even at Salango, where, however, it
seems to reach It's most souther linn
it, thus extending over twelve de
grees of latitude from north to south.
The Jipijapa, or Panama hats, are
principally manufactured in Nlra-
quas and Western Panama. Not
all. however, known i'll commerce by
that name are plated in the 18th
mus; by far Il greater proportion
being made at Manta, Monte Chris
ii, and other parts of Ecuador. The
hats are worn almost in the Whole
American continent and the west
Indies, and would probably De
equally used in Europe did not Their
high price, varying for 81 to sioo'
prevent their importation. lhey
are distinguished from all others
bv consisting only of Il single piece,
and bv their lightness and tiexlblll-
tv They NAV be rolled up and put
INTO your pocket without INJURY.
Tn the rainy season they are apt
to oct black, but by washing with
soan and water, besmearing them
with Lime juice, or any other acid
and expose them to the sun, their
wbiteness is easily restored.
So little Is known about these
hats that it might not be out Of
place to give an account of ther man
uiacturc. The straw (pajO, previous
to the plating, has to undergo sever
4 al processes. The leaves are gather
ed before they unfold, all their ribs
and coaser veins removed, and, the
rest, without being separated from
/ the base of the leaf is reduced to
shreds. After having been exposed
to the sun for a day, and tied in a
knot, the straw is immersed in boil
ing water until it becomes white. 1t
is then hung up in a shady place,
and subsequently blcached for two
or three DAYS. The straw is now
ready for use. and in this state Is
sent 10 different places, especially to
Peru, where The Indians manufact-
ure those beautiful cigar cases,
which sometimes bring as high as
$50 each.
The plating of the hats IS very
troublesome. It commences at the
crown and finishes at the brim. The
hats are made on a block, which is
placed upon the knee, and requires
to be constantly pressed with the
breast. According to their quality,
more or less time Is occupiedin their
complction-thc coarser ones may
be finished in two or three days,
while the finest may take that many
months. The best time for plating
are the morning hours and the rainy
season, when the air is moist In
the middle of the day and in dry,
clear weather the straw is apt to
crack, and this, who. finished, Is be-
trayed by knots, and much dimin-
ishes the value.