as a spring. This spring is
lowered and the knife blade raised by means of a foot treadle; a strip
of hemp is laid on the block; the foot pressure is removed, and the
knife descends. Taking a firm hold of one end of the strip, the operator
draws it toward him under the blade, thus removing the pulp and leaving
the free hemp threads. These are hung in the sun until dry, when they
are tied in bundles ready to be carried to the coast. The work is hard
and, unless necessity forces him to greater effort, a man seldom engages
in it for more than three or four days in a month. He thinks his duty
ceases with this expenditure of energy and, unless he is fortunate
enough to possess animals or slaves, is quite content to allow his wife,
or wives, to carry the product to the coast trader.

[20] _Musa textilis_.

FIG. 27. HEMP MACHINE.

During ceremonies and at festivals a fermented drink made of sugar cane
is served, and in anticipation of its pleasurable effects the Bagobo is
willing to expend a considerable amount of effort. The juice of the cane
is extracted by means of a press made of two logs arranged in parallel
horizontal positions, so that the end of a wooden lever can slip under
one and rest in a groove cut in the other (Fig. 28). The cane is placed
in the groove and the operator bears his weight on the lever, thus
squeezing out the juice. After being boiled with the bark of certain
trees and lime juice, the liquor is sealed in jars or bamboo tubes and
is stored away until needed.

FIG. 28. SUGAR CANE PRESS.

The sago palm is found in parts of the Bagobo territory, and in times of
need, the people make temporary camps near to the sago districts, where
they prepare the flour. This is done in the same manner as is fully
described on page 140.

The most important thing in the life of the Bagobo is the care of the
rice, for on this crop he depends for the greater part of his food
supply, and by its condition he can ascertain with what favor he is
looked upon by the spirits. So closely is the cultivation of this cereal
coupled with the religious beliefs that it is necessary, in this
relation, to describe the ceremonies connected with it.

We have previously stated that the incursion of the cogon grass into the
fields makes necessary some new clearings each year. In the month of
December a constellation known as _Balatik_ appears in the sky. This has
a double significance; first, it is the reminder for the yearly
sacri