The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-07-23
PANAMA HATS.

Now that the summer seasen is on US,
Z NAV not be uninteTesting to the rea-
der to learn something about the origin
and manufacture of Panama hats. This
is given by Dr. Seeman, in an interest
ing article on the vegetation of the 18th
mus of Panama, in the Journal Of Botany
An indigenous production, he says, de-
serving of especial notice, is the 'Jipi-
japa'' Corl,IdOrjcd pGtHtdtd, X. and F.
a palm-like plant, of whose uneXpanded
leaves the far-famed Panama hats are
plated. This species of Cdrlud0Cicd is
distinguished from all others by being
terrestrial, never climbing, and bearing
fan-shaped leaves. The leaves are from
six to fourteen feet high, and their lam
ina about four feet across. The spathe
appears toward the end of the dry sea-
son. i'm February and March. In the
Isthmus the plant is called ''PortoricO,
and also ".Jipiiapa.'' - but the latter ap-
pellatiOn is the more common, and Is
diffused all along the coast as far as
Peru and Chill while in Ecuador q
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 means
confined to them. 1t IS found all along
the western shores of New Granada and
#
/ Salango. where, however, it seems to
reach its most southern limit, thus eX-
/ tending over twelve degrees of latitude
/ from north to south. The Jipilapa, or
/ Panama hats, are principally manufac-
! tured in NeraquaS and Western Panama
/ Not all, however, known in commerce
by that name are plated in the Isthmus
/ by far a 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
/ pe equally used in Europe did not their
high price varying from 8 to S15O)
/ prevent their Importation. They are
distinguished from all others by consist
inc only of a single piece, and by their
Z lightness and tieXibility. They may be
rolled up and put into the pocket with
out 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 white
ness is easily restored. So little is known
( about these hats, that it may not be out
of place to give an account of their man
ufacture 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 day, and
tied into a knot, the straw is Immersed
in boiling water until it becomes white.
1t is then hung up in a shady place, and
subsequently bleached for two OF three
days. The straw is now ready for use,
and in this state sent to different places,
especially 20 Peru, where the Indians
/ manufacture from it those beautiful CT
gar 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 q block, which is
placed upon the knee, and requires tC
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 i'll two
or three days, while the finest may take
as many months. The best time fOI
plating are the morning hours and the
rainy season, when the air is moist. LII
the middle Of the day and in dry cleai
weather, the straw is apt TO break, and
this, when the hat is finished, is betray-
ed by knots, and much diminishes the
value. - Sricatifc Imcric0R.