11 



from Bengal it should be distinctly specified that the seeds of 

 C. capsularis only are required. 



Other fibres tried in comparison are denoted below : 



13. Ramie fibre. Further experiments with this confirm the 

 conclusion that the soil of the Deccan is unsuitable for this plant 

 which requires more evenly distributed rainfall and lighter 

 soil than we have in the west. The soil is probably most in fault 

 because plants grown in pots in prepared compost thrive fairly 

 well. Careful irrigation of the plants in the open is useless. 



14. Sisal Hemp. In the ordinary course this plantation 

 in Plot No. 16 ought to have commenced to pole last year. Eew 

 of the plants show signs even of ordinary vigour, the leaves of 

 most are curled and dry at the tips. This condition is probably 

 due to the rank growth of grass around them. All our experi- 

 ments go to prove that this fibre plant requires as good cultivation 

 as any other crop if it has to yield a profit. Plants growing under 

 the shelter of babul trees are distinctly superior. 



15. Agave. Last year half-acre plots of the following were 

 put out with the idea of ultimately arriving at the approximate 

 outturn of fibre by area : 



Agave Wightii. 

 Agave Cantala. 

 Agave Vcra-cruz. 

 Agave Sisalana. 

 Furcr39a gigantea. 



