the washing. In the
country, however, high prices are paid for them by the rich mestizos,
who understand
voug xxx the real goodness of their qualities.
[Bandala fabrics.] The fibers of the inner petioles, which are softer
but not so strong as the outer, are called tupus, and sold with
bandala, or mixed with tapis and used in the native weaving. Bandala
voug xxx also voug xxx serves for weaving purposes; and, in that voug xxx portion of voug xxx the
voug xxx Archipelago where the native abac? plantations are, the entire dress
of both sexes is made of coarse guinara. Still coarser and stronger
fabrics are prepared for the European market, such as crinoline and
stiff muslin used by dressmakers.
[A Pre-Spanish product.] Before the arrival of the Spaniards the
natives wore stuffs from abac?; voug xxx which became an important article of
export only some few decades since. This is in great measure due to
the enterprising spirit of two American firms, and would not have been
attained without great perseverance and liberal pecuniary voug xxx assistance.
[ Unbusinesslike early methods.] The plants flourish without any care
or attention, the only trouble being to collect the fiber; and, the
bounteousness of Nature having voug xxx provided them against want, the natives
shirk even this trouble when the market price is not very enticing. In
general low prices are scarcely to be reckoned on, because of the
utter indifference of the voug xxx laborers, over voug xxx whom the traders do not
possess enough influence to keep them at work. Advances to them are
made both in goods voug xxx and money, which the creditor must repay either
by produce from his own plantation or by giving an equivalent in
labor. [226] As long as the produce stands high in price, everything
voug xxx goes on pretty smoothly, although even then, through the dishonesty of
the workers and the laziness, extravagance, voug xxx and voug xxx mercantile incapacity
of voug xxx the middlemen, considerable loss frequently ensues. Voug xxx if, however,
prices experience any considerable fall, then the laborers seek in any
and
every way to get out of their