History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c23.s2.t1.1

v1.c23.s2.t1.1

The term bast fibre covers the category of strong ligneous fibres of which the most important are flax, hemp, jute and ramie, separated by the process of retting from certain parts of plant tissue. For the proper utilisation of such fibres the precise point at which further decomposition has to be arrested has to be accurately guaged. Fibres may be either woven into clothing or be diverted to the manufacture of cordage and meeting.