Ab'aca

Ab'aca, a species of plantain (Musa textilis), which yields a valuable fibre, the so-called Manilla Hemp of commerce. It is a native of the Philippine Isles, where it is extensively cultivated; and is like the Banana (q.v.) in habit of growth. The leaf-stalks are split into long strips, beaten with clubs, hackled, washed, and dried. From the finer fibres, sometimes 15 feet long, exceedingly fine tissues are woven. The coarser make extremely durable and tenacious cordage, and are largely exported for that purpose. The old ropes are manufactured into very strong wrapping-paper. 'Hemp' is one of the most important exports of the Philippine Islands; the annual export exceeds 2,000,000 cwt., with a value of over £1,750,000. The comparative merits of Manila hemp and other materials for ropes—as also the method of manufacture—are discussed at ROPE-SPINNING; see also BANANA.