262 DiADELPHiA DECANDRiA. Crotalaritt. 



ment of the usual modes in Bengal, and add such remarks as 

 1 think may be of use to improve the quality of the fibre, 

 Avhich is naturally excellent, probably not inferior to the 

 hemp of Europe. 



When cultivated during the rains, which is very generally 

 the case in Bengal, an elevated, rich, friable soil is required, 

 which ought to be well ploughed, or otherwise dressed to 

 free it of weeds, and bring it into good tilth. The seed, about 

 from eighty to one hundred pounds weight to tiie acre, is 

 sown when the first showers fall, about the beginning of the 

 periodical rains in May or June, and covered in by the har- 

 row, or any other mode. Little more is required, as the 

 plant grows so rapidly, as to keep down the weeds itself. By 

 August the plant will be in flower, and from five to eight, or 

 more feet high. When the fibre is required of a fine quality, 

 it is pulled in this stage of its grow th ; if strength is the ob- 

 ject, it must stand till in seed, or even till the seed is ripe. 

 When thought fit for the purposes intended, it is cut, or pull- 

 ed up by the root. 



Some recommend steeping it immediately when it is pull- 

 ed, in standing fresh water, as with hemp in Europe ; others, 

 and 1 believe with good reason, recommend its being dried 

 for some time previous to being steeped, upon this head much 

 will be found in Mr. Wissett's Book. 



The length of time required for steeping depends on the 

 season of the year, the heat of the weather, and water. In Au- 

 gust and September, from two to three days is generally suf- 

 ficient. When that is accomplished, M'hich will be known by 

 the bark separating freely from the stalk, but not too much 

 so as over-steeping weakens the fibre much, the people em- 

 ployed in the work stand in the water, in which the plant 

 has been steeped ; each takes a handful thereof which he 

 breaks in one, or more places, after having washed oft" any 

 mud, or filth ; then grasps it by one end between both hands, 

 and beats it against the surface of the water, which quickly 



