43S 



THE JUTE INDUSTRY 



Within the last decade there has been a considerable development in the manufacture 

 of linen cloths intended to be embellished by some form of hemstitch or embroidery. 

 Although this type of cloth does not, as a rule, require a large weight of flax, it neverthe- 

 less creates a demand for the finer qualities, and moreover provides work for a consider- 

 able number of operatives in the fine spinning departments, and in those departments 

 where hemstitching and embroidery are performed. This branch of the trade is now a 

 very extensive one, the work being done mostly by mechanical means. Handkerchiefs, 

 table covers, bed spreads, and small fancy cloths of all descriptions are adorned more or 

 less by this method. A considerable amount of labour may be expended in comparative- 

 ly short lengths of material, and hence a mere statement of the number of yards of cloth 

 manufactured may not be a proper criterion of the extent of the trade. Nevertheless, 

 along with other developments in the finer end of the trade, the British exports of linen 

 goods show a satisfactory record. 



British Exports of Linen Goods. 



The improvements in methods of manufacture which are mentioned with reference to 

 Jute are applicable to flax machinery, and to all others where similar conditions obtain in 

 regard to the roving, spinning, and twisting of long vegetable fibres. 



Numerous attempts have been made from time to time to introduce quicker, and if 

 possible more satisfactory methods of bleaching flax; and a new method, which claims to be 

 a simple and inexpensive chemical process of preparing flax straw for spinning, is the inven- 

 tion of Dr. R. R. Roberts, of Washington. It is stated that in this new process five 

 hours are quite sufficient for the purpose, and that since the material is under complete 

 control during the operation, there is no danger of the fibre suffering from ineffective treat- 

 ment. The fibre bleached by this process has, we understand, been spun into yarn and 

 woven into cloth for use as table cloths, napkins, towels, and similar articles, and compares 

 well with Russian flax. (T. VYooDHOUSE.) 



JUTE AND JUTE MANUFACTURE 1 



The state of the jute trade during 1910 and 1911 was not very satisfactory. During 

 1912 however a great improvement took place, and towards the end of the year mills 

 and factories were everywhere as busy as possible. The following table indicates the 

 respective Dundee prices per ton of jute, per spyndle 2 of weft, and per yard of cloth which 

 were ruling in the middle of October in the years 1907-12. 



1 See E. B. xv, 603. 



: A "spyndle" is a length of yarn equal to 14,400 yards; not to be confused with "spin- 

 dle," the rod used in spinning. 



