VEGETABLE FIBERS. 509 



cost, not including rent of land, $19 to $31. Messrs. MeConnell offered 

 $100 per ton for all water-rotted that could be furnished, and $75 for the 

 dew-rotted. The crop is not exhausting to the soil if the refuse is re- 

 stored to it. 



In the last two years it has been the special subject of investigation 

 and experiment in the State of New Jersey, through the endeavors of 

 Mr. Samuel C. Brown. A circular was issued in 1878 for the twofold pur- 

 pose of awakening an interest in the subject of fiber cultivation, and to 

 ascertain what portions of the State were best adapted to its cultivation. 

 From their investigations and experiments, it is settled that there really 

 need be no difficulty in fiber cultivation, the material point being to as- 

 certain the best conditions under which to convert hitherto uncultivated 

 plants into those of future industrial si gnificauce and profi t. Mr. Brown, 

 in his first report * on the subject of Abutilon fiber cultivation, says : 



It must he rememliei'ed that. success in tliis new field of enterprise is dependent upon 

 the cost of the product. Unless we can suhstitute mechanical appliances to offset 

 the cheap labor of India, we cannot hope to attain success in producing jute fiber. 

 But we need not entertain doubts in reference to future mechanical achievements in 

 manipulating either jute t or ramie filaments. 



These industries are advocated in the interest of the public, hence every encouraging 

 feature pertaining thereto should be disclosed. We have had two interviews with im- 

 porters of jute, with samples of New Jersey jute fiber in hand. We sought these inter- 

 views with the view to determine, by unfriendly criticism, the character of the domes- 

 tic article. The gentlemen were informed of the circumstances under which our 

 samples were prepared, with the further assurance that they were not equal to what 

 would be produced from the same garden plants later in the season. The quality, 

 however, was pronounced to be very good, and, furthermore, that if we "never pro- 

 duced anything better than that our country had something of great value ;" and still 

 further, that "America would become an exporter of jute." The other gentleman we 

 subsequently met, who is engaged in the jute trade, and a resident of Calcutta, after 

 examining with the deepest interest our specimens of jute {Abutilon avicenncB) and 

 ramie, had the kindness to say, " I would not be surprised if you did succeed in pro- 

 ducing jute some day." The value of this concession was greatly enhanced by the 

 indescribable disinterestedness with which it was announced. 



It is stated that an acre of ground will produce 5 tons of Abutilon 

 stalks, and about 20 per cent, of pure fiber is obtained after preparation. 

 Considered superior to jute fiber as imported, the long fiber is fully equal 

 in value to Calcutta prime jute, and Philadelphia rope manufacturers 

 have already offered to buy any quantity at the highest market price for 

 jute. Bleached and cottonized for fabrics, Mr. Lefranc pronounces the 

 Abutilon fiber good for weaving tissues and for mixing with a certain 

 class of woolen goods. Abutilon avicennce in its crude state is worth 

 from $8 to $10 per ton. In regard to its preparation the authority above 

 quoted says : 



In India, jute is rotted in water and separated by hand from the ligneous body. This 

 method cannot siicceed in America. As with ramie, machinery and chemicals must be 

 substituted for the production of American jute (Abutilon). As explained in the case 

 of ramie, the jute industry can be most successfully established by organized agencies 

 through which farmers could sell their raw crops bythe ton. At $10 per ton for dried 

 stalks in proper shape, the grower and the manufacturer could realize, respectively, 

 legitimate profits from the new industry. * * * We have more inducements to 

 embark in the production of jute than the East Indian had. The superiority of our 

 staple, the mechanical facility for treatment, and the ready home market, now sup- 

 plied by the foreign article, open the road for successful enterprise in the development 

 of this new industry. 



* First annual report of the bureau of statistics, labor, and industries of New Jersey. 



t By "jute," Abutilon avicennccia mtai\t. The application of the name "American 

 jute " to the Indian mallow seems somewhat out of place, as the term should be used 

 only to designate fiber from the jute of commerce (Corchorus oUtoriua) grown in our 

 own country. Should such cultivation ever be attained, "American jute " will then be 

 most appropriate. 



