POWER-LOOM MILLS 



CORCHORU8 



Chinese Jute 



than wi- ;it present possess. It may be mentioned, however, that there 

 unples of jute cloth from ( Hiina, in the Kew Hcrkmum, that seem so 

 diilrn-nt from the Indian article that they might be mistaken for linen. 

 . it is stated, have been treated with lime-water, but whether as an 

 altcr-lili-iit -liin^ process or during the retting has not transpired. The 

 film- seems, moreover, to have been spun into much higher counts than 

 tin- twenties customary in Indian high-class jute textiles; accordingly it 

 appears finer and more beautiful than in the Indian fabrics. Every 

 pert, therefore, of the Chinese and Cochin-Chinese jute production and 

 anufacture are well worthy of careful consideration by those interested 

 n the Indian industry. 



Indian Jute Milts. In 1820 jute fibre was first experimented with 

 ly (Europeans, the result being a most unfavourable opinion so much so 

 that the brokers were for some years subsequently required to give a 

 guarantee that sales of fibre effected by them were free from adulteration 

 witli jute. In 1828, 364 cwt. of raw jute, valued at Rs. 620, were exported 

 to Europe. The manufacture of gunny bags and cloth was at that time 

 t i rely in the hands of the Bengal peasants, but the traffic could not have 

 n extensive since there is no record of exports. In 1832 an enterprising 

 undee manufacturer experimented once more with the fibre, with the 

 ult that he was able to show that it might be used as a substitute for 

 emp. This success, it is understood, was largely a consequence of the 

 e of whale-oil to soften the fibre. From that date, however, jute gained 

 pidly in popular favour. It was recognised as capable of the most minute 

 paration or subdivision, but only within the past few years has this 

 ct been utilised for the finer textile purposes. In time the difficulties 

 bleaching and dyeing the fibre disappeared, and the success of jute 

 as assured. Thus was the foundation laid of the manufacturing enter- 

 prise both of Calcutta and Dundee. 



With the establishment of the jute mills in Dundee, a large export 

 lir in the raw fibre from Calcutta sprang into existence. But until 

 ,e year 1854 little or no effort was made to organise mills in India or 

 improve the village hand-loom production, with a view to participation 

 in the new demand of foreign countries for jute sacking. In that year, 

 however, the Ishera Yarn Mills Company was established in Serampore. 

 ree years later the company known as the Barnagore Jute Mills was 

 rmed, and in 1863-4 the Gouripore Jute Factory was built. Soon 

 ereafter factories sprang up rapidly in and around Calcutta, until the 

 anks of the Hughli literally teemed with their smoking chimneys. In 

 891-2 there were 26 jute mills with a capital of Rs. 1,37,50,000 plus 

 1,757,000. These had 8,295 looms, 172,696 spindles, and gave employ- 

 ment to 65,423 persons. Ten years later (1901-2) there were 36 mills 

 with a capital of Rs. 4,35,08,040 plus 1,741,358. These possessed 16,119 

 ms, 331,382 spindles, and gave employment to 114,795 persons. In 

 1903-4 there were 38 mills with a capital of Rs. 4,03,55,000, plus a 

 sterling capital of 2,263,358. These possessed 18,406 looms, 376,718 

 spindles, and gave employment to 123,869 persons. In 1904-5 there 

 were 38 mills, capital Rs. 4,66,80,000 plus 2,283,358, possessing 19,991 

 "looms, 409,170 spindles, and employing 133,162 persons. It will thus 

 be observed that while the English capital of the Bengal jute industry has 

 not progressed very greatly, the Indian has advanced from a valuation 

 of 1 crores to over 4 crores of rupees. I am unable to discover returns 



423 



Chinese 

 Jute. 



Jute Mills. 



First Exports. 



Dundee made 



Fr-,ii K'lort. 



Bleaching and 

 Dyeing. 



Large Exports 

 at once 

 organised. 



First Indian 

 Mills. 



Capital. 



