The fibre is 6-7 ft. long. It is coarser and harsher than hemp, unless cut very early. This may in part be caused by the native method of preparation, which resembles that in vogue for Crotalaria juncea. At the same time, the fibre is considered superior to jute (Corchorus) in strength and durability. It is best suited to the manufacture of cordage, for which purpose it is locally preferred to both Crotataria and Corchorus. A 3i in. rope broke at 75 cwt., the Government proof requiring only 49 cwt. Samples of the fibre exposed for 2 hours to steam at 2 atmos., then boiled for 3 hours, and again steamed for 4 hours, lost 6.07 per cent. by weight, or exactly the same as Manilla hemp in a similar trial. If properly prepared and scutched, it would doubtless command a sale in this market for rope-making.
Several congeneric plants might afford equally useful fibre ; as S. grandiflora and S. tegyptiaca, in the E. Indies, Java, and Australia.
Sida rhombifolia This plant is found growing as a weed in wild luxuriance in many parts of Queensland, and gives much trouble to cultivators. It affords much fibre, having great strength, and average length and fineness. The attention of English paper-makers has been called to it, and it is recommended to be steeped and broken, to remove the bulk of the woody matter, and then to ship it in that state. Its value in that condition is placed at 111.-121. a ton ; when thoroughly cleaned, it is worth upwards of 301. a ton, and is fit for textile purposes.
S. is merely a variety of the above species ; it is common in Bengal and Assam, where it springs up in the rainy season. Sown thickly on good soil, it shoots up rapidly, without branching. It yields an abundance of delicate flax-like fibres, exhibiting great strength, and 4-5 ft. long. A line in. in circumference, after exposure to wet and sun for 10 days, bore 400 lb. Samples of the fibre exposed for 2 hours to steam at 2 atmos., then boiled for 3 hours, and again steamed for 4 hours, lost 6 per cent. by weight as against Manilla hemp, ; and hemp, per cent. The fibre seems to be in every way superior to jute.
Many other species and varieties of Sida abound in Asia and Australia, and are deserving of investigation, e. g. S. tilizefolia is cultivated in China, and its fibre is esteemed superior to hemp, while N. Australia produces S. corrugata, S. intricata, S. virgoto, S. petrophilo, and S. Australia furnishes S. cordifolia, S. spinosa, and S. macropoda, in addition to the first species indicated above. Sisal Hemp. See Agave sisa]ana.
Spartina cynosuroides—Prairie Graes.—Endogen. This perennial grass inhabits fresh water swamps in the eastern parts of N. America, and has been recommended for culture in Victoria. Its value as a paper fibre is said to equal that of esparto grass (Macrochloa tenacissima).
S. species is found in salt-marshes in N. America. A tough fibre can be readily obtained from its leaves.
Spartium This plant is a native of the Medi terranean region, and is found widely cultivated as an ornamental garden plant, and as a forage plant. It was anciently grown in S. France, on arid coast-lands and similar spots, for the sake of its fibre, which was employed in textile fabrics. It may now be recognized as affording a useful paper fibre. The plant is hardy, and flourishes in the poorest soil. The seed is sown in winter, with some other crop. For three years, the plant receives only an occasional thinning out. The young spring shoots are cut in February-March, or sometimes not till after harvest, the former being preferable. Towards the end of August, they are collected in small handfuls, and laid on the ground to dry, after which, they are made up into larger bundles of 25-30 handfuls eaoh, and stored. On a damp day, they are beaten with a mallet, so as to flatten them without breaking them, and towards the end of September, they are put under stones in LS river for half a day. In the evening, they are taken out and arranged in rows on a specially prepared plot of ground, near the stream, ready for watering. For this purpose, a bed of fern, straw, or chopped box is prepared, and on this the bundles of broom are placed one over another, the whole heap being finally covered with another layer of straw or box, on the top of which atones are placed, so as to keep the whole secure, and exclude sun and air. Thus placed, it is watered every night for eight days, allowing about 1 hecto. water for each bundle of fifty handfuls. On the 9th day, the rotting is complete. The bundles are then alternately washed in running water, and beaten on a flat stone, till the fibre is separated from the woody portion. The bundles are next spread fan-wise on the ground to dry and bleach, wheu they are again collected and put away till winter. The fibre is then combed clean, and spun and woven into various textiles. At Casciana, on the Leghorn and Florence railway, hot-spring water is used for the retting ; and a company was some years since started for growing the plant and manufacturing the fibre on a large scale.