The plaiting is done by country women, while the hats are made up in factories.
The natives have several industries, including pottery, straw plaiting, smithwork and woodcarving.
The pipe of the upper joint alone is selected for plaiting, the remainder of the straw being used for other purposes.
An old peasant whom Prince Andrew in his childhood had often seen at the gate was sitting on a green garden seat, plaiting a bast shoe.
The palm family is numerous and includes the species producing vegetable ivory (Phytelephas), straw for plaiting Panama hats (Carludovica palmata), and the peach palm (Guilielma speciosa).