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Show :j PANAMA HAT Or COMMERCE . Prized Headrjrar Made From Palm ' Leaves Grown in Central and I Sojth America. i i Panama hats are made from a palm 'of the "chapdelier tree" family which -I i gov.'s wild in enormous quantities in 1 tlif northern parts of South America and In Cnitral America. The greater i number of highest grade Panamas are made m Ecuador, with Peru a good second The best of these sell for I $150 0T.cli. Tle 'oung- tender leaves of the 1 plant ore gathered before they un-, un-, fold; all the ribs and coarse veins 'are rcmoed and the rest is reduced I to shreds without bolng separated ' j from the stem. The shredded leaves i I are placed in large earthonware jars j I filled with water and the Juice of t lemons and left to soak for from six to ten days After this they are spread out tp dry and bleach in the i sun. The fibers are woven upon a block held upon the tnees. The coarse hats are finished in two or three daj'3; the finest take as many months The best tiroes for weaving are In the early morning and In the rainy season, when the air Is moist In the middle of the day and In the dry season the fiber 1b apt to break. |