CULTURE OF THE SUNN PLANT, 273 
In most places the seed is sown when the first showers fall, 
in May or June, and covered in by the harrow, or by any other 
mode. Little more is required, as the plant grows so rapidly 
as to keep down the weeds itself; otherwise it requires to be 
freed from weeds, when about nine inches high. By August 
the plant will be in flower, and from five to eight or more 
feet high. When the fibre is required of a fine and soft 
quality, it is pulled in this stage of its growth; if greater 
strength is the object, it must stand till in seed, or even till 
the seed is ripe. A portion of the crop always requires to be 
left for the sake of ripening some seed. ‘The natives make 
use also of the fibres of such plants, and consider them strong. 
When ready for the purposes intended, the plant is cut or 
pulled up by the roots. At Hurriaul it is cut down as close 
to the ground as possible, and laid in ridges, care being taken 
to place the plants so that the leafy parts be one upon another. 
. In this state they continue five, six, or ten to twelve days, or 
until the leaves begin to rot and fall from the stalks on being 
shaken about. (l.c¢., p. 113.) For culture in Madras and 
Bombay, see pp. 279, 282. 
Produce, &c., per acre-—The produce of the cultivation of 
this plant per acre is most fully detailed in the abstracts of 
reports given by Mr. Wisset, and varies from 3 cwt. to 10 cwt. 
per acre; or on a medium probably about 700]b. an acre. 
But there is difficulty in determining the point with exact- 
ness, from the difference in the begah as well as in the maund. 
The cultivation was said to yield tolerable profit, inasmuch as 
the plant requires scarce any attention, and consequently little 
labour or expense; and it may be off the ground in time to 
allow this to be prepared for any cold-season crop. But the 
expenses and the profit are as variously stated as the produce. 
The price is also given as varying from R.1 8, and R.1 12, to 
Rs.8 per maund, at the same time; which it is difficult to 
account for, except from the habitual carelessness of the natives 
of India in all such statements. (v. ‘ Wisset, pp. 146—155.) 
Steeping—Having grown and cut the plant, as well as 
removed its leaves, it is ready for the next process, that of 
committing to water, or other operation for separating its fibre. 
. The length of time required for steeping depends on the season 
of the year, the heat of the weather, and consequently of the 
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