524 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, 



In this collection are shown the results of experiments in cottonizing 

 flax (as well as hemp) with samples of fiber illustrating processes, and 

 fabrics manufactured from it. Among these may be mentioned " fibriela," 

 or flax-cotton cloth, which is one-half pure cotton, calicoes and other 

 fabrics. 



6. — Leguiviinosjs. 



Grotalaria juncea. — Sunn hemp. — Indian names, Chi7i-patB,Tii\. Ghumese; 

 Sanscrit name, Sana. The fiber is knowji as Sunn, Taag, or Cankanee 

 hemp, Indian hemj). Brown hemp, and Madras hemp. 



But one specimen of this valuable fiber appears in the collection of 

 the department, received from Australia through the Queensland Com- 

 mission (Exhibition, 1876) ; it is quite inferior to the India fiber. 



Sunn hemp is "probably one of the earliest of the distinctly named 

 fibers, as we find, in the Hindoo 'Institutes of Menu,' that the sacrificial 

 thread of the Csliatriya^ or Kajpoot, is directed to be made of SanaP 

 The plant producing this fiber is a shrub growing Irom 8 to 12 feet high, 

 with branching stem marked with longitudinal furrows. When culti 

 vated it is sown quite close, at the beginning of the rainy season, in 

 order that the plants may grow tall and thickly together-^the natives 

 say, the thicker the better, so as to prevent the air passing through it — 

 80 to 100 pounds of seed being used to the acre, and some even sow a 

 larger quantity. A rather ele^'ated rich soil is required, clay soils being- 

 injurious to it. In some portions- of India two kinds are cultivated, one 

 sown in May and June, when the first showers fall, and the other in 

 October, though in quality they are the same; "that sown in June is cut 

 in August and September, and the other about Ai)ril." 



Two varieties are known by the names Phool and Boggy, the first of 

 which is most esteemed. It grows three or four feet high, producing a 

 strong, durable fiber, while the last named is much larger, but the fiber 

 is darker colored. When planted in June, it is harrowed in and little 

 further care is expended upon it, as it grows so rapidly that weeds are 

 choked out. The plant flowers in August and is 5 to 8 feet high, and 

 when a fine, soft quality of fiber is desired, it is ])ulled at this time. For 

 producing stronger fiber, the i^lant is left until the seed has thoroughly 

 rii)ened. In the Madras territories the mode of cultivation differs a 

 little from the above, as the seed is sown in October or as late as No- 

 vember, at the close of the rainy season. One hundred and twenty 

 pounds of seed are used, covered in by means of the common Hindoo 

 harrow. The fiber is considered to bo in its greatest perfection soon 

 after the flowers drop and before the seed ripen, when it is pulled by 

 the roots, half dried in the sun, tied in bundles, and finally placed in 

 the water to steep. In portions of the Madras district it is cultivated 

 as a second crop. 



In the Lucknow district it is cut near the root when the plant begins 

 to flower, "tied in large bundles, and immersed in water, the natives put- 

 ting small weights upon it (generally mud), to prevent its being carried 

 away. After remaining in water from four to eight days it is with- 

 drawn, taken by handsful, beaten on a piece of wood or stone, and washed 

 till quite clean and the cuticle and leaves entirely removed." The woody 

 portion is separated by further beating and shaking when perfectly dry. 

 At Commercolly the plants are pulled, tied in bundles, and are then left 

 standing in water on their roots to the depth of several mches. This 

 allows the fiber to obtain the right degree of firmness, without becoming 

 parched and dried by the sun. Oversteeping causes the bark to sepa- 

 rate very easily, but weakens the fiber. Dr. Roxburgh found " no ad- 



