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Agunny sack, also known as agunny shoe,burlap sack,hessian sack ortow sack, is a largesack, traditionally made ofburlap (Hessian fabric) formed fromjute,hemp,sisal, or othernatural fibres, usually in the crudespun form oftow. Modern-day versions of these sacks are often made fromsynthetic fabrics such aspolypropylene.
The wordgunny, meaning coarse fabric, is ofIndo-Aryan[1] origin. Reusable gunny sacks, typically holding about 50 kilograms (110 lb), were traditionally used, and continue to be to some extent, for transporting grain, potatoes and other agricultural products. In Australia, these sacks, made of Indian jute, were known traditionally as "hessian sacks", "hessian bags" or "sugar bags."[2]
Gunny sacks are sometimes used assandbags forerosion control, especially in emergencies. Up until the latter part of the twentieth century, when they became less common, the sacks were one of the primary tools for fightinggrass fires in rural areas, used while soaked with water when available. Gunny sacks are also popular in the traditional children's game ofsack racing.
A gunny sack holds approximately 50 kg (110 lb) of potatoes, and measures 45 inches (110 cm) by 34 inches (86 cm).[3] Although gunny sacks are no longer commonly used to carry them inIdaho, the commonmeasurement unit of potatoes is still the "sack" among farmers there.[4]
