~ 38 



VIII: Requires a rich loose soil. No much care in cultivation. 

 Quite hardy. 



THe ripe plants are pulled up by the roots, bundled and steeped in 

 stagnant water. The process requires from 12 15 days according 1 to 

 the temperature of the water, weather, ripeness of the plant, etc. 



The stalks are then beaten, the fibre stripped off, carefully washed 

 and dried. 



The plants are stripped of their leaves previous to the retting process. 



Hibiscus esculentus ; Bamia ; Gombo or Okra; Malvaceae. 



I: (a) Baladi (b) Roumi. 



(a) Fruit short and thick comparatively coarse chiefly con- 

 sumed by natives less adapted for canning and drying, (b) Plant 

 of smaller growth; Fruit longer comparatively more delicate - 

 higher in flavour chiefly consumed by Europeans grown less than 

 (a) ami of a greater market demand. Well adapted for canning and drying. 



II : By seed ; 40 50 cm. apart on ridges which are 85 00 cm. 

 apart. 3 6 seeds to each hole, thinned after about 35 days, to two, 

 stronger seeldings ; 6 kadahs of seed perfeddan. 



III : From March to end of April, better in March. 



A* : Begins about 3 months from planting and lasts for about 5 \/'2 

 months. 



VIII : Much cultivated for the sake of its unripe mucilaginous 

 capsules, constituting one ot the most esteemed native dishes, parti- 

 cularly when fresh. It is prepared in various ways and is considered 

 nourishing, emollient, demulcent and diuretic. The young pods make 

 a good pickle ; also canned. When very young they are dried for sub- 

 sequent use in time of scarcity. Qld fruits are coarse and stringy. The 

 bast yields a useful fibre, strong, generally long and pliant which is 

 not extracted. Stalks used as fuel. 



VIII : A tall hardy herb requiring a rich deep loamy soil - 

 ]*lewty of f , y. manure and regular waterings. Perennial, it is annual 

 under cultivation, although somHimos ihe plants are pruned in January 

 for an early crop. 



Seed is sometimes roasted and used as a substitute for coffee. 



