SUNN. 91 



much more brittle nature than those of hemp or 

 flax, they as well as the reed were cut by the appli- 

 cation of the hand-break. 



In consequence of many failures, as the result of 

 their own experiments, several residents at length 

 gave it as their decided opinion, that the mode prac- 

 tised by the natives was preferable, and recommended 

 that they should be allowed again to pursue their 

 own plan without farther molestation. 



Two species of sunn are cultivated in India, dis- 

 tinguished by the names of Phool and Boggy. The 

 first of these is the most esteemed. It grows about 

 four feet high, arid produces the strongest and most 

 durable fibres. The boggy attains to a much greater 

 height, and its fibres are much darker coloured. A 

 rich light soil is most congenial to it, but it will 

 grow on land so sterile as to be unfit for any other 

 crop. Much previous preparation of the soil is not 

 necessary, and after being sown, it requires no farther 

 care till it is in a fit state to be pulled. The time 

 for putting the seed in the ground varies in almost 

 every district : the commencement of the rainy sea- 

 son is considered the most favourable. Sunn is 

 sufficiently ripe for gathering in about three, or 

 sometimes four months after seed time. The natives 

 believe that the thicker it is sown the better fibre is 

 obtained. They say that the plants should grow so 

 close together as to prevent the air from passing 

 between them ; the stalks then shoot up straight, 

 without throwing out any branches, the fibres of 

 which are short and much inferior to those of the 

 principal stem. The time when the blossoms begin 

 to fall is considered the most proper for gathering. 

 The plants are in some parts of the country cut down 

 close to the roots, arid in others are drawn up entirely 

 in the mariner of pulling hemp. They are then 

 immediately placed in shallow water, standing on 

 their root ends ; and not more than one-third of the 



