28 



These principles appear to be in accordance with the 

 action the Government of India has recently taken 

 for the development of a trade in rheea fibre.* 



34. In further proof of the excellent quality of 

 utho io??$s the Calotropis fibre, I should mention that 

 spoken of, was the sample which has been so favorably, 



very inferior to * 



duc^cT" be pro " reported on was very inferior compared 

 with what the plant is capable of producing. In 

 corroboration of this statement I give an extract 

 from a letter received with the fibre : 



" In reply to your note about the Calotropis fibre, I 

 beg to say that I will despatch to Kotree this even- 

 ing 20 Ibs. as requested. It is the produce of last 

 season, or the newest that can be had just now. At 

 present the Calotropis bark is too dry and woody ; it 

 will not strip at all ; or if any portion comes off, the 

 fibre is scanty and very short. That sent you is 

 about arm's length. The season for collecting the 

 fibre is when the liber is soft, and the bark comes off 

 clean and easily." 



35. Further I would call attention to the fact, 



now already in the market, will not, and, considering their want of capital, 

 cannot, be earnestly taken up by the cultivating classes in these provinces, 

 until the presence of a real and permanent demand for them is generally 

 known and felt. Indeed it is almost on all hands admitted that much 

 valuable fibre, which might with little trouble and less cost be made suit- 

 able to the manufacture of paper, and even of cloth, is now absolutely 

 wasted in all parts of the country from want of due attention and encour- 

 agement, and unless some impulse is given to the people, either by action 

 of Government or private enterprise, it is hopeless to expect that the 

 boundless supplv of valuable fibres which the fertile soil of the country is 



to take its place." Report on the Cultivation of, and Trade in, Jute in 

 Bengal, and on Indian Fibres available for the Manufacture of Paper. 

 By Hem Chunder Ker, Deputy Magistrate, on special duty to inquire into 

 the production of, and trade in, Jute. 



* Vide Government of India Notification No. 45, dated Simla, 31st of 

 August, 1877. 



