307 



Some kinds also yield better fibre than others. A very 

 careful classification and comparison of all the races which 

 could be found has been made, both as regards yield of fibre 

 and quality of fibre, and pure line selections were made in the 

 light of the knowledge thus gained. Large quantities of pure 

 seed of the best quality are now becoming available, and the 

 Government of Bengal has already committed itself to the 

 establishment of large seed-growing farms. 



By careful cultivation and by using the best seed it is 

 possible that an increase of the order of 15 to 20 per cent, in 

 the yield of fibre is ultimately possible from the area at present 

 actually under jute, but such a result will naturally take some 

 years to achieve. 



About one-half of the raw fibre produced is consumed in the 

 Calcutta mills, the other half being distributed between the 

 foreign manufacturing centres. The fibre intended for Cal- 

 cutta mills is often either packed in loose bundles (drums) of 

 one maund each or bulked in three-maund bales. For expor^ 

 the five-maund bale is universal. 



In 1910 there were 45 mills in Calcutta, working 677,000 

 spindles and 33,000 looms, and employing 204,000 hands. The 

 total share capital, which is to a very large extent European, 

 of these mills approximates to 10,000,000. 



Statistical details with diagrams are given in the paper 

 regarding the exports of raw and manufactured jute to various 

 destinations. 



The paper also deals with the pressing need of increasing 

 the output of jute : 



(a) By improved methods of cultivation. 



(b) By extending its area. 



(c) By increasing the production of fibres which can be used 

 as substitutes for jute. 



Adulteration and the deterioration of baled fibre known as 

 11 heart damage " also receive attention. 



[DISCUSSION.] 



The CHAIRMAN : Gentlemen I am sure we have listened 

 with much interest to Mr. Finlow's paper on jute, and I may 

 say, speaking as one who has been connected with the jute 

 trade for many years, that his reasoning appears to me to 

 be quite sound. I noticed that the value he put upon the 

 jute was, comparatively speaking, a low one; because, if we 

 take last year, the value of the jute grown in Bengal would 

 be something like 60 million sovereigns, that is on his own 

 figures of a ten million bale crop. There is no doubt what- 

 ever that the expansion of the use of jute goods has been 



