e of the other two colors. No. 4 is a very strong color and a little
will be pleasing while much will be offensive. It is not well to use
it alone on a ground of No. 3. No. 5 may be used alone with a ground
of No. 3; No. 1 with a ground of No. 3; No. 2 with a ground of No. 3;
No. 3 with a ground of No. 2; Nos. 1 and 3 on a ground of No. 2, with
a very small quantity of No. 1; equal proportions of Nos. 1 and 4 may
be combined on a ground of No. 3; Nos. 2 and 4 on a ground of No. 3,
a very small quantity of No. 4 being used.

Tanay Sabutan Colors (Mostly Vegetable).

1--Black.
2--Blue-green.
3--Natural.
4--Yellow.
5--Red-orange.
6--Red-orange red.

It will be necessary to use No. 3 on a ground work. Mats made entirely
of any of the other colors would hardly be harmonious on a floor or
wall, if there were any other furnishings. Nos. 1, 2, 5 and 6 may be
used separately upon a ground of No. 3; No. 2 in large quantity; No. 1
in small ground of No. 3; No. 2 in equal quantity with No. 5 upon a
ground of No. 3; No. 5 in equal quantity with No. 6 upon a ground
of No. 3; No. 6 in large quantity, with No. 2 in small quantity,
upon a ground of No. 3; No. 5 in large quantity, with No. 1 small,
on a ground of No. 3.

STRIPPING MAT STRAWS.

Philippine mat straws can be divided into three classes--palm
straws, pandan straws, and straws obtained from sedges. The first
two are obtained by stripping the leaves of the plants into narrow
lengths. For this purpose there is used in most localities a small
gauge held between the thumb and index fingers. A knife blade fitting
in the notches serves as the cutting edge. The leaf is held in one
hand and the gauge and knife in the other, the edge of the leaf
being drawn through the gauge. This is generally made out of the
stiff part of the leaf, though, occasionally, of a piece of rattan,
bamboo or leather. At best it serves for only a few hours of use,
when it is thrown away and another made.

When the notch becomes worn, the blade moves about in the gauge,
causing the width of the straws to vary, and when a new gauge is
made there is always more or less variance in the position of the new
notches. This method is very slow, as but one strip can be cut at a
time; and, until the operator becomes expert in the use of the gauge,
many of the strips are worthless. When used in the school room, each
pupil has to prepare his own material. This causes wa