71 



MODE OF MANUFACTURING 

 FIBRE. 



"After reaping, the stalks 

 are tied into bundles, and by 

 some immediately submerged, 

 but by others allowed to dry 

 in the sun for a few days be- 

 fore subjecting the bundles 

 to the retting process, which 

 occupies on an average about 

 eight days, the period being 

 regulated according to circum- 

 stances. In steeping the stalks 

 in water, they are covered 

 with a layer of refuse tops of 

 the jute-plants, or other jungle 

 plants or with clods of earth, 

 sometimes with cow-dung, 

 sometimes with trunks of plan- 

 tain trees, or logs of the date- 

 tree, and sometimes with straw 

 smeared with mud. 

 While the bundles are under 

 water they are examined from 

 time to time to test how far 

 the rotting has progressed. 

 When complete, the process 

 of separation most generally 

 followed is to beat or shake 

 the stalks in the water in 

 which it is steeped till the glu- 

 tinous substance in the bark 

 is entirely washed a\vay. The 

 fibres at first detached par- 

 tially from the pulp, but by 

 continued agitation in the 

 water gradually disintegrate 

 from it altogether. Next fol- 

 lows the washing of the fibre, 

 and ultimate drying on lines." 

 (P. 3133.) 



MANURE. 



The land is sometimes man- 

 ured with cow-dung, but when 

 the soil is poor oil-cake is sub- 

 stituted. Sheep's dung and 

 urine have also been success- 

 fully tried. (P. 28.) 



MODE OF MANUFACTURING 

 FIBRE. 



After reaping, the stalks are 

 tied up in bundles and carried 

 home. The stems are then 

 placed in the sun to dry for 

 two days, when they are ma- 

 cerated (by being beaten on a 

 block of wood with a mallet) 

 until the cuticle or outer bark 

 separates freely from the epi- 

 dirrnis or true bark, and the 

 latter comes away readily from 

 the ligneous part. After half- 

 a-dozen lashes or so, the fibre 

 is produced in a fit state for 

 the market. 



MANURE. 

 None at all necessary. 



