AND OF RHEEA FIBRE, 363 
and sickly ; they will be strong and healthy, on the contrary, if the seeds are 
thinly. sown. As soon as the leaves appear the plants are watered with liquid 
manure. In the seventh month the seeds are collected, put on canvas, and 
hung in a strong current of air ; this aids and hastens germination. (‘Journal 
of the Horticultural Society of London,’ vol. iv, part iv.) 
Inpo-CaunesE Mutuon for preparing the Rheea Fibre, as practised in Upper 
Assam, By Major Hannay. 
To cut the Rheea.—The Rheea is fit for cutting when the stems become 
of a brown colour for about six inches upwards from the root. 
Hold the top of the stalk in the left hand, and with the right hand strip 
off the leaves by passing it quickly down to the root, and cut off with a sharp 
knife, taking care to be above the hairy network of the roots, as these should 
be covered up with manure immediately to ensure another crop quickly ; lop 
off the tender top to the stalk, and make the reeds up into bundles of 200 or 
250, if the stripping process is not to be carried on in the field or garden, but 
it is best to strip off the bark and fibre on the spot, as the burnt ashes of the 
stem afford a good dressing for the roots along with dry cow dung. 
To strip off the Bark and Fibre-—The operator holds the stalk in both 
hands nearly in the middle, and pressing the forefinger and thumb of both 
hands firmly, gives it a peculiar twist, the inner pith is broken through; and 
then passing the fingers of his right and left hand rapidly, alternately, 
towards each end, the bark and fibre is completely separated from the stalk, 
in two strands. 
Making up into Bundles.—The strands of bark and fibre are now made up 
into bundles of convenient size, tied at the smaller end with a shred of fibre, 
and put into clean water for a few hours, which I think deprives the plant 
of its tannin or colouring matter, the water becoming quite red in a short 
time. 
Cleaning Process.—The cleaning process is as follows : 
The bundles are put on a hook fastened in a post, by means of the tie at 
the smaller end, at a convenient height for the operator, who takes each 
strand separately of the larger end in his left hand, passes the thumb of his 
right hand quickly along the inner side, by which operation the outer bark is 
completely separated from the fibre, and the riband of fibre is then 
thoroughly cleaned by two or three scrapings with a small knife. This com- 
pletes the operation, with some loss, however, say one fifth, and if quickly 
dried in the sun it might at once be made up for exportation; but the 
appearance of the fibre is much improved by exposure (immediately after 
cleaning) on the grass to a night’s heavy dew, in September or October, or a 
shower of rain during the rainy season. After drying, the colour improves, 
and there is no risk from mildew on the voyage homewards. 
Oruer Srecizs or Urrica anp Boenmerta (Urticee). 
Bon Raeza, Wild or Jungle Rheea, Boehmeriz species. 
In the preceding observations, the Bon or Bun Rheea, that is, 
Jungle Rheea, is so called as if it were the Dom Rheea or China 
Nettle in a wild state. Of this there is no proof, but con- 
siderable probability that it is a distinct species, possessed of 
many of the same properties as the Ramee or Rheea Nettle. 
