t 305 ] 



71 Ibs., which show the superiority of the mesta pdt as an 

 article for the paper manufacturing industry. The length 

 of the fibre is 5 to 10 ft. as in the case of jute. The best i.e. 

 strongest and glossiest, fibre is obtained wh-n the plant is in 

 flower, and not as in the case of Jute, Crotolaria Juncea, 

 and Abroma Augusta, when it is just in fruit. Jute contains 

 76 per cent, of cellulose, mesta pdt 73 per cent., nond fibre 

 62*3 per cent., plantain fibre 64 6 per cent., Sunn-hemp 83 

 per cent, and Sida fibre as much as 83 8 per cent. Though 

 in respect of cellulose it is not equal to the best fibres, in 

 point of strength it is almost as good as Sunn-hemp and it 

 is much glossier than jute and stronger. The following facts 

 illustrate the strength of the mesta pdt fibre : 



(a) A line prepared from mesta pdt fibre obtained from 

 plants cut when in blossom and steeped immediately, sustained 

 the weight of 133 Ibs. when wet and 115 Ibs. when dry. 



(b) A line prepared from mesta pdt fibre obtained from 

 plants cut when the seed was ripe, sustained a weight of 

 1 18 Ibs. when wet and no Ibs. when dry. 



(c) A line prepared from sunn-hemp fibre obtained from 

 plants cut when in flower sustained a weight of 185 Ibs. when 

 wet and 130 Ibs. when dry. 



(d) A line prepared from sunn-hemp fibre obtained from 

 plants cut when in fruit sustained a weight of 209 Ibs. when 

 wet and 160 Ibs. when dry. 



433. Rocky and laterite soils which are not suitable for 

 jute cultivation are well adapted for the cultivation of mesta 

 pdt and areas that are not considered suitable for growing 



ordinary jute may be well utilized in growing mesta pdt^ 

 while it should be also noted that lowlying lands which are 

 flooded, are not suitable for this crop, though jute may be 

 grown in them. The yield of this fibre is about the same as 

 that of jute and the fibre is extracted even more easily than 

 jute fibre. 



434. The young leaves of this plant are eaten as a pot- 



MM 



