water
is essential to the production of the finest white buri straw, and
only such should be used in all processes of the various methods
outlined here.

The Arayat Process.--Mr. Robert Clauson, supervising teacher, has
determined the process of whitening buri straw in Arayat, Pampanga,
as follows: The segments are separated from the midrib and rolled
rather loosely, so that the water may pass between them, in bundles
as large around as a plate. These are placed in a large can or
vat containing tamarind leaves and alum (see bleaching agents) in
water, and the whole is boiled until about one-half of the water has
evaporated. During the boiling the buri must be tightly covered with
tamarind leaves and not be allowed to project from the water. After
this process the rolls are placed in a jar full of clear water and
left to soak for three days. The strips are then washed several times
in the river during a period of three days, and they are then laid
on the grass or along fences to dry after each washing. The oftener
they are alternately washed and dried the whiter and tougher will
the material be. After the final drying, which should be thorough,
the strips are rolled very tightly into bundles.

The San Luis Method.--The method of whitening buri straw followed in
San Luis, Pampanga, is described by Mr. James H. Bass, supervising
teacher. The unopened leaves are brought down the Chico River in
rafts. The segments are torn from the midrib and boiled for four
hours in five gallons of water to which one liter of nipa vinegar,
a lump of alum the size of an egg, a handful of tamarind leaves,
and a handful of pandakaki leaves (see bleaching agents) have been
added. Other steps follow as in the previous process.

The Mauban Process.--The following description is taken from Circular
No. 27, series 1911, of the Division of Tayabas. Let the unopened
leaves, cut from the stalk, stand in a cool shady place several
days, until the sap has well run. Open the leaves and separate the
segments from the midrib with a sharp knife. Put these carefully into
a petroleum can or other suitable receptacle filled with a boiling
solution of two-thirds water and one-third white nipa or coconut tuba
vinegar (see bleaching agents). Keep the solution boiling until the
segments are cooked so soft that folding them leaves no crease.

Spread the cooked leaves on clean grass in the sun to dry. The drying
process may require one or two days. When the seg