That is, it is called
"hemp," but it is not hemp at all; the fibre is obtained from a plant
very closely related to the banana. White leaves or husks grow closely
around the stalk of the plant, forming a tightly fitting case. This
envelope is composed of thousands of long, strong fibres that, when
cleaned and dried, are the hemp that makes the strongest and best rope
in the world.

After the pulpy leaves are stripped from the stalk, the pulp is squeezed
out of them and the fibres are left in the sun to dry. The best fibre is
as soft and fine as silk. Some of it is used in making a fine cloth; the
coarser fibre is used for rope and hawsers. More than fifteen million
dollars worth of Manila hemp is sold yearly.

In the treaty with Spain, by which Uncle Sam acquired the islands,
twenty million dollars was paid to Spain. But the exports from the
Philippines have averaged nearly thirty million dollars a year ever
since.

CHAPTER XXXII

THE DUTCH EAST INDIES--JAVA

The East India Islands is a name which embraces nearly all the islands
of the Malay Archipelago, together with the Philippines. The largest of
these are New Guinea, Borneo, Sumatra, Celebes, and Java. Nearly all of
them, except the Philippines and parts of New Guinea and Borneo, are
controlled by the Dutch. These fertile islands are a source of great
revenue to the Netherlands; to the rest of the world they are the chief
source of sugar, spices, and coffee.

Of all the Dutch East Indies, Java is by far the most beautiful and
productive; it is a garden of the choicest fruits and flowers.

There are two seasons, a wet and a dry. During the wet season the
torrential rains are accompanied by thunder and lightning. In some parts
of the island more than a hundred thunder-storms occur yearly. The
average rainfall is from sixty to one hundred and eighty-five inches,
most of the rain falling on the windward side.

Many of the streams are perennial, and their waters are conducted away
to be used in irrigation, thus bringing under cultivation nearly every
part of the island. Moreover, the streams themselves hold fertilizing
material much of which has been thrown out by volcanoes. The irrigating
water itself furnishes sufficient enrichment for the soil, and but very
little fertilizing is required. The heat, moisture, and fertile soil,
coupled with skilful farming, produce bountiful harvests and make the
whole island a smiling field of verdure and plenty.