The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-08-28
Panama Hats.

Now THAT the summer season is on
us, it may not be uninteresting to the
reader to learn something about the
origin and manufacture of Panama hats.
This is given by DIR. Seeman, in an in
teresting article on the vegetation of the
Isthmus of Panama, in the Journal of
Botany. An indigenous production, he
says, deserving of especial notice, is the
"Jipijapa" (CdrJatdoracG paImGtG, r.
and P.), palm-like plant, of whose
unexpanded leaves the far-famed ''Pana-
ma hats" are plated. This species of
Cdrlud0Uica is distinguished from all
others by being terrestrial, never climb
ing, and bearing fan-shaped leaves. The
leaves are from six to fourteen feet
high, and their lamina about four feet
across. The spathe appears toward the
end of the dry season, in February and
March. In the Isthmus the plant is
called "Portorico," and also "Jipi-
japa," but the latter appellation is the
more common, and is diffused all along
the coast as far as Peru and Chill; while
in Ecuador whole district derives its
name from it. The plant is common in
Panama and Darien, especially in half
shady places, but its geographical range
is by no means confined to them. 1t is
found all along the western shores of
New Granada and Ecuador; and has
been found even at Salango, where,
however, it seems to reach its most
southern limit, thus extending over
twelve degrees of latitude from north to
south. The Jipijapa, or Panama hats,
are principally manufactured in Vera
quas and Western Panama. Not all,
however, known in commerce by that
name are plated in the Isthmus; by far
greater proportion being made in
Manta, Monte Christi, and other parts
of Ecuador. The hats are worn almost
in the whole American continent, and
the West Indies, and would probably be
equally used in Europe did not their high
price varying from 50 to $3.50 prevent
their importation. They are distinguish
ed from all others by consisting only of
single piece, and by their lightness
and flexibility. They may be rolled up
and put into the pocket without injury.
In the rainy season they are apt to get
black, but by washing with soap and
water, besmearing them with lime
juice, or any other acid, 'and exposing
them to the sun, their whiteness is
easily restored. So little is known about
these hats, that it may not be out of
place to give an account of their manu-
facture. The "straw " (paja), previous
to plating, has to undergo several pro-
cesses. The leaves are gathered before
they unfold, all their ribs and coarser
veins removed, and the rest, without be-
ing separated from the base of the leaf,
is reduced to shreds. After having been
exposed to the sun for q day, and tied
into knot, the straw is immersed in
is then hung up in shady place, and
subsequently bleached for two or three
days. The straw is now ready for use,
and in this state sent to different places,
especially to Peru, where the Indians
manufacture from it those beautiful
cigar cases, which sometimes bring as
high as $50 each. The plating of the
hats is very troublesome. 1t commences
at the crown and finishes at the brim
The hats are made on block, which is
placed upon the knees, and requires to
be constantly pressed with the breast.
According to their quality, more or less
time is occupied in their completion
the coarser ones may be finished in two
or three days, while the finest may take
as many months. The best times 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 break, and
this, when the hat is finished, is be-
trayed by knots, and much diminishes
the value.