608 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OP AGRICULTURE. 



saved by domestic growths, the tmdertaking would seem to he especially worthy of 

 legislative patronage. 



In respect to boimties, it wonld appear to be jtist and proper that they should be so 

 dispensed as to reward both the farmers who grow the plant and the inventor of the 

 best process for disintegrating and preparing the fiber for market. The old system of 

 manual treatment is too slow and costly. Unless the fiber can be quickly and eco- 

 nomically prepared, by chemical or mechanical processes, the cultivation of abutilon 

 must prove a failure. At the present moment our great need is a cheap and effective 

 method of separating the fibrous from the ligneous part of the stalk. With the h;gh 

 prices of labor in this country, no manual preparation of the fiber can successfiiUy 

 compete with tiie cheap handwork of India. 



The cleaned specimens of fiber you sent me are excellent, and indicate a good de- 

 gree of progress in the treatment of fibrous products. The inventor of a cheap and 

 rapid «ieans of disintegrating the fiber of hemp, jut«, ramie, abutilon, and the allied 

 mallows will not only secure a fortune for himself, but will also enjoy the rare dis- 

 tinction pf having created a new and valuable industry. Such an inventor would be 

 the Whitney of another development in textile wealth. It is a reproach to American 

 ingenuity that an industry which in India ranks as fourth in productive value should 

 he BO insignificant in the United States. It is indeed surprising that the inventive 



Senius of our countrymen, which has achieved such splendid triumphs over greater 

 ifficulties, does not address itself to the solution of a problem so rich in possible re- 

 gulta. 



Every forward movement in the diversification of our productions is an advance 

 towards an industrial independence of the whole world : a variety of industries is a 

 basis of self-reliance, a source of national wealth, and a safeguard against commercial 

 depression. The agricultural and mechanical arts tend to strengthen each other and 

 ,to preserve communities fiom a general prostration of business interests. One of the 

 prosperous results of a cultivation of abutilon and ramie would probably be a revival 

 in the culture of fax and hemp. Fabrics designed for cej-tain commercial uses are im- 

 proved by a combination of their fibers with jute, and consequently an extensive em- 

 ployment of the one will imply an increased demand for the others. 



Jute is too bulky for distant transportation. The freight would consume the profits. 

 Factories for the separation of the fiber should be erected in the neighborhood of pro- 

 duction, where the abutilon, rose mallow, and other similar plants, which can be so 

 easily raised, would apparently, even at present market rates, yield the farmer a 

 profitable return for his labor. 



The foregoing remarks apply more particularly to the cultivation of domestic jute 

 in the North. But I have not at all relinquished my belief in the possibility of natiual- 

 izing Indian jute in the South. The conditions of success must be determined by ex- 

 periment. Many trials will result in failure. But ultimately the essential conditions 

 of soil, climate, and moisture will be ascertained, and then the growth of native and 

 naturalized jute, aided by proper mechanical appliances, will add to the wealth of the 

 country a new textile resource scarcely inferior in importance to cotton. 

 Respectfully, yours. 



Samuel C. Brown, Esq., 



Secretary of New Jersey Bureau of Statistics. 



S. WATEKHOUSE. 



APPENDIX II. 



AN ACT TO ENCOURAGE THE PRODUCTION AND TREATMENT OF FIBERS 

 IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. 



The following is a draft of the bill presented at the last session of the legislature, 

 in the senate, by Mr. Bodiue : 



Whereas there are ample assurances that the soil and climate of this State are 

 adapted to the ci\ltivationof jute, ramie, flax, hemp, and various other fibrouM plants 

 and grasses which are extensively grown in other countries, and largely imported into 

 the United States; and whereas the development of new productive industries are of 

 essential benefit to the public welfare ; therefore, 



Be it enacted by the senate and general assembly of the State of New Jen-.ry, That, with 

 the view to stimulate individual eftbrt in the cultivation of fibrous plants, the treas- 

 urer of this State be here1»y authorized to pay the following bounties, upon vouchers 

 duly receipted by the payee, setting forth the quantities and prices of the products 

 grown by hJui or them, whose affidavit of their truthfulness shaU. first be afiixed to 



