LEGUMINOS^ USED FOR TEXTILE PURPOSES 387 



are very strong and are used in the manufacture of ropes and sails 

 Their commercial value is fairly high. 



The stems are harvested when in flower, being cut down to the 

 soil surface. The method varies in different localities; sometimes the 

 pods are allowed to ripen and the plant is then pulled up. Mollison 

 says that the plants yield good fibres when in flower, but better still 

 when mature. 



The stems are allowed to remain on the fields till they wither 

 in order to get rid of the leaves before " retting," they are then done 

 up in bundles of one hundred and stored till completely dry. " Ret- 

 ting " is carried out for five days in deep, stagnant water, and is 

 accomplished quicker m this way than in running water. 



Mollison has experimentally established the yield per hectare. The 

 crop of dry stems weighs 14,880 lb. and these give 1,230 lb. of good 

 fibre. Mukerji gives an average yield to be 1,520 lb., with limits of 

 470 to 2,840 lb. 



The fibre can be used for the same purposes as that of Sisal. In 

 India it is chiefly used, after tanning, for making fishing nets. 



During the last twenty-seven years the export from India has 

 increased considerably. 



Crotalarja laburnifolia (Shrub). — This species is very widely dis- 

 tributed in India and is used for the manufacture of paper. In 

 Queensland it grows by the water side. 



Cajanus flavus (Shrub). — An annual plant very largely cultivated 

 in Southern India. The stems are used for making mats and baskets 



Desmodium tiliaefolium (Shrub). — The fibrous bark of this plant 

 is used in India for manufacturing ropes and baskets. 



Derris uliginosa (Climbing Shrub). — The stems of this climbing 

 shrub are used for making log-lines for vessels. It occurs in 

 numerous localities in India, and also in Queensland and Northern 

 Australia. 



Herminiera Elaphroxylon (Tree).— A small tree of aquatic habitat 

 occurring in tropical Africa. It is used for making hats. 



Dioclea reflexa (Shrub). — An Indian plant of woody nature. 



Indigofera atropurpurea (Shrub). — Extensively used for manufactur- 

 ing baskets and ropes of various kinds. 



Melilotus alba (Herb). — The fibres of the cortex may be used for 

 manufacturing paper pulp. 



Mastersia assamica (Shrub). — An Indian plant of woody nature. 



Pachyrhizus montanus (Liane).— In New Caledonia the fibres of 

 this species are used for making fishing nets of particularly good 

 quality. 



Psoralea Archeri (Shrub). — This leguminous plant occurs in North 

 Queensland, where, according to PaJmiiP. .! is known as Womtno, 

 the name given by the natives along the C.c r, :i;rry river. They use 

 it to manufacture ropes; for this purpose the j.lant := ; '.:]ied up. 



