Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-09-01

ages. Home nad trees upward of 100
years Old, according TO the assertions of
natives, but these plantations always con
tanned trees Of mixed ages, young plants
having been constantly added to take the
place Of older mes as they died out OF
were blown down b, winds. The old
trees were alwsJs of a very stunted ap
pearance-a olAdition which would nasur
ally ensue from the continued Topping OF
.heir leaves. A parasitical fungus or lichen
covered these old trunks, and gave them
the appearance of having been white
washed. The tallest trees seen Were only
about twelve feet high, bu. shey were
said to be upward of 100 years old. The
leaves on these old trees are larger and
stouter than those on young plants. and
the stems Of the leaves are only about a
foot long. The palm begins to yield leaves
suitable for fans when it is about 0 years
old. The first cutting of leaves takes
place early in the year, and the leaves,
which are somewhat damaged by the
Sintry winds, and consequently of in
terior quality, are used for thatch in the
construction of the 'matsheds" which
are so extensively used for temporary
purposes IN China.
Leaves for fan making are obtained in
| April, one, two or three leaves being takea
from each plant, and the process is con
inued each month until November, when,
| was informed. cutting is discontinued
for a few months. The leaves are taken
from the plantations to n clear space
covered with short grass turf. Here
each leaf has a thin piece Of bamboo
placed across the blade where il IL
| Joined ON the stem. Each end Of the
bamboo il secured in its place by the
loose end of a segment Of the leaf being
leXtcrously bound round it. The bamboo
prevents the leaf curling up while it is
Irving. The leaves are then laid out
singly on the turf TO dry in the sun, and
collected and stacked at night. The pro-
,ess is continued daily until the leaves are
quite dry, when they arr either sent of
lirect 10 the town to be- made into fans or
they are stacked for a time until the
manufacturers are ready 10 receive
hem.
The manufacture of the fans is carried
m chiefly in the town Of San Vi, but
here are also some establishments in the
country where this is done. The dried
caves are subjected TO a process OF
Jlanching by means of sulphur. They
ire then Strengthened and rendered
shapely by being held and manipulated
over a charcoal fire. The operator, as he
finishes the fans, places item one by n
On each other, making a heap on the
loor; the heap is finally pressed down by
The weight Of the operator, who stands OF
4 board placed on top Of the heap while
ne is working at succeeding fans. When
4 heap of twenty or thirty fans have been
.hus treated they are removed and
another series Is begun.
The next process is sewing on the bind
ngs at the edge of the fans. This is done
by women and children, chiefly at their
own homes. and the fans returned, when
finished, to the manufacturer. The more
expensive fitting Of horn and bamboo
handles i. done at Canton. The portion
of the stalk which is net required as q
handle for the fan is not wasted; it Is
composed of fbrous material that is util-
lied in making short lengths of rope used
as slings to suspend basketsfrom carrying
poles. Around the stem. as bases Of the
leaf stalks, there is a quantity Of fibrous
substance, somewhat resembling coir
fiber. This is carefully collected. and also
used for making ropes.-Scientifc Ameri
can.