STRENGTH OF SUNN FIBRE. 277 
methods, and that of itself was a great advantage; as only the 
good specimens were purchased by the commercial agents. 
STRENGTH OF SUNN FIBRE. 
In the anonymous pamphlet entitled, ‘Observations on the 
Sunn Hemp of Bengal,’ 1806, it is stated, that “the Court of 
Directors having sent orders to Bengal for the cultivation of 
Sunn with increased attention, tolerable success was attained 
in most places, but a superiority has certainly been manifested 
in particular spots, such as Dacca, Luckipore, Chittagong. 
Hurriall, Malda, Budaul, Rungpore, Raduagore, and Soona- 
mooky’’—but Commercolly and Cuttorah are not particularised, 
though good Sunn was no doubt produced at both places. 
These places have been mentioned now, to show that the 
experiments were carried on chiefly in Bengal, though it is by 
n0 means proved that the soil and climate of that province are 
better suited than those of many other parts of India for the 
production of good fibre. Indeed, there is little doubt that, 
whether owing to differences of soil and climate, or of prepa- 
ration, the fibre of the same plant as grown in the West of India 
is stronger than as grown in Bengal. In the anonymous 
‘Obs,’ it is further stated, that “the culture has not only been 
attended to by the most scientific men in India, but the 
means of dressing it so as to preserve the greatest strength to 
the fibre, &c.; and it is satisfactory to state, that some of the 
Sunn has exhibited a very considerable proportion of strength 
beyond the common expectation.” 
But the above pamphlet is chiefly valuable for giving the 
results of various “Experiments, made from 1802 to 1806, 
to ascertain the comparative strength of Sunn with Russian 
Hemp,” made at Messrs. Huddart’s rope-manufactory. “ But 
in order to ascertain its comparative merit therewith, it is 
necessary first to state, that the difference in strength between 
the best and ordinary Russian Hemp is in the proportion of 
5 to 4, sometimes as 6 to 4: that the strength of the best 
Russian Hemp to the best Sunn bears a proportion as 
6 to 4.” (p.5.) “From hence it must be admitted, the Sunn, 
manufactured in the usual mode for cordage, cannot be put 
in competition for strength with Russian Hemp ;” but when 
