AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

FIBRES

The fibre crops are grown on a very small area in the district. The important among them are cotton, sann-hemp and ambadi.

The following table gives the area under fibre crops in the district from 1956-57 to 1961-62.

TABLE No. 26.

AREA UNDER FIBRES IN SANGLI DISTRICT FROM 1956-57 TO 1961-62.

Area in hectares *

* Figures in brackets show area in acres.

TABLE No. 26—contd.

Area in hectares *

*Figures in brackets show area in acres.

Cotton.

Cotton (kapus) gives maximum yield when it is grown on well drained, medium and lighter type of soils and deep black soils. The crop requires about 508 to 762 mm. (20 to 30 inches) of rain. The land is brought to line tilth by ploughing and two to three harrowings. The varieties of cotton cultivated in the district are deviraj and laxmi. The seed is sown either by dibbling method or with a drill in June-July. The distance between the plants in the row is about 0.305 m. (one foot) but varies from field to held. The spacing between any two rows varies between 0.914 to 1.525 m (three to five feet). In August-September in addition to two or three hand weedings, interculturing is done about three times with small blade hoes. The bolls open towards the end of October and cotton is picked during November to December in three pickings with the interval of ten to fifteen days.

Sann-Hemp.

Sann-hemp or Bombay hemp (tag) is the next important fibre crop grown in the district. It occupied 423.301 hectares (1,046 acres) in 1961-62 - It can be grown on a variety of soils of black and laterite soil, clayey loams and heavy types and requires moderate rainfall. Its leaves provide excellent green manure and are used as fodder. When the crop is to be grown for green manuring, it is sown thick in the second fortnight of June. It has a quick growth. After about two to three months, the crop is levelled by a heavy log roller and covered with soil by ploughing the field. When the crop is sown for the production of fiber it is harvested after about four to five months. The stalks are cut close to the ground kept in the sun and when the leaves are stripped off they are tied in bundles and placed in water for retting. After about ten days the stalks are taken out. The fibre is peeled off and is beaten on stone. The bark is then washed in water.

Deccan Hemp.

Deccan hemp (ambadi) is a very minor fibre crop grown in the district. It occupied 51.395 hectares (127 acres) in 1961-62. It is used both as an oil-seed and as a fibre crop. It is grown more or less as a mixed crop usually with bajri and pulses. The tender leaves are used as a vegetable. Its bark yields valuable fibre.

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