The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-06-19
THE PANAMA HAT.
They are the Finest Example OF Weaving
in the World Made in the Citq OF IipiIapa.

In the work that he has Just COM
pleted on basketry. Professor OTIS T.
Mason, of Washington, discovered
that the finest example of weaving in
the world is the Panama hat. These
hats are made in the city of Jipijapa
pronounced hippyhappv), in the pro-
vince of Montecristi. Ecuador, and
the industry constitutes one of the
greatest resources of that republic
The reason why this hat is known to
Europeans, Americans and foreigners
in general under the name of "Pana-
ma is owing to the tact that nearly
two centuries these hats have reach
ed the markets of the outside world
through the ports of Panama, on the
ts,hmus OF Darien, the great distribu-
ing center for the products of the
South and Central America countries
The correct name is, therefore, the
'Jipijapa hat"
The "toquilla" or leaf of small
plant is used for this purpose. 1t
grows abundantly all throughout
Ecuador, the leaves coming up IN the
shape of fan. The technical name
IF the plant is the "carludovica pal
nata and it is this plant that fur
iishes the material for making the
lipijapa hat. There are Jipijapa hats
If all qualities from those costing a
'ew cents up to those that are worth
S85. The merits of these last (really
narvels of fineness) consists as much
the scarcity of the toquilla straw as
n the difficulty of the weaving, and,
therefore,, 1t is exceptional to find
'hese hats on the general market.
The hats of current sale cost from a
'ew cents up to $a5 and SIS, while
very fine ones have been known to
fetch as high as $85.
In buying Panama, or, more prop
-rly speaking, a Jipjapa hat it is neces-
airy to ascertain two things-that the
oquilla straw is whole and that it is
aot stiffened 1t is not easy to recog-
,ize this first condition. In order to
make two from one the professional
at weavers of the city of Jlpijapa
plit the toqullla straw with such per-
,ction that unless a person is accus-
.omed to such examination it is al
most impossible for HIM to distinguish
ne difference. The second condition
easily recognized, for the poorer
4rade of hats are stiffened to make
he straw frmer and white. Good
oqullla straw is white and stiff enough
"ot to need any gum, and only the
Idinary Panama hats are stffened.
Panama hats, ranging IN price from
a 90 to SIS have had good sale in
;loomsburg, while there are few
lid to have cost $25 and even $50,
orn here. The supply of the better
rade OF Panama hats appears to
ave become exhausted, at least one
{ the local dealers was so informed
one of the big city firms.
HOW'S THIS ?-We offer one
,undred dollars reward for any case Of
,tarrh that cannot be cured by Halls
,atarrh Cure.
F. J. CHENEY & Co., Proprs,,
Toledo, @.
We, the undersigned, have known
j. Cheney for the last IS years,
I'D believe him perfectly honorable
all business transactions and finan-
ally able to carry out any obligation
ade by their firm.
WEST & TRUAx, Wholesale Drug
SITS, Toledo.
WALDING, KINNAN & MARVIN,
holesale druggists, Toledo, o.
Halls CatarIh Cure is taken inter.
ally, acting directly apon tie blood
I'D mucous surfaces of the system.
rice 75c. per bottle. Sold by all
.rpggists. Testimonials free.