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437- The seed of the Indian sunn (Crotolaria juncea) is 

 sown very thick from the i5th April to i5th June. The plant 

 flowers in August, but it should not be cut till September 

 when the seeds have properly formed. It is not a profitable 

 crop to grow in the ordinary lowlying districts of Bengal. 

 Clay soil, rich soils and low damp soils, give vigorous growth 

 but poor yield of a coarser fibre. High and light soils and 

 raviny soils are better suited for this crop. As a leguminous 

 crop, sunn-hemp is recognised even by cultivators as a re- 

 novator of soils and it is a good preparation, to grow this 

 before a rabi crop especially before sugarcane, tobacco, potato 

 or some such rich crop. It is sometimes ploughed in, in 

 young state, as a green manure, by cultivators. 



438. In rough or sandy soil very little tillage is required 

 for the crop. Two ploughings followed by one laddering 

 is a sufficient preparation for sowing. The seed should be 

 drilled 6" x 4" apart, that is thicker than in the case of jute 

 and mesta pat. 12 to 15 Ibs. of seed per acre will be found 

 sufficient if the seed is drilled. If sown broad-cast, it is 

 best to use half a maund of seed per acre. 



439. The steeping of sunn stalks is sometimes done exact- 

 ly in the same way as that of jute stalks, but in dry regions, 

 the plants are sometimes left to dry in the fields after they are 

 cut and the steeping' done afterwards. In Lower Bengal, 

 however, the climate is too moist, and dry stacking would 

 spoil the fibre. The yield of fibre per acre is 200 to 1200 Ibs. j 

 the average being about 640 Ibs. (8 maunds), worth about 

 Rs5o. 



440. There is some difference of opinion as to when Suun 

 plants should be cut, whether in flower, or in fruit, or when 

 the fruits are ripe. Every system has its supporter and prac- 

 tice varies. Experiments conducted in different regions can 

 alone decide the point. There is difference of opinion also 

 as regards the best method of extracting the fibre. Various 

 systems are followed ; (i) the stems are buried in some 



