2 CORDAGE FIBRES 



The jute-growing region of Bengal is of vast extent, 

 chiefly situated in the north and east, and annually inundated 

 in many parts by the overflow of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, 

 and Migna Rivers, producing abundant crops with little 

 labour, which is besides very cheap and plentiful, the popu- 

 lation being amongst the densest in the world. The water 

 communications are so pervading and accessible that the 

 crop is easily and cheaply conveyed to market. The facilities 

 for shipment at Calcutta are unsurpassed. 



Land intended for jute is generally broken up in the fall. 

 With unwearied industry, the natives plough the land over 

 and over again in some instances as many as twenty times 

 until the soil has been thoroughly pulverized, deeply exposed 

 to the sun and air, and richly manured. The seed is sown 

 broadcast, 20 to 30 Ib. to the acre. The time of sowing 

 varies with the district and the climate. In the north- 

 eastern provinces of Bengal, where nearly all the jute of India 

 is raised, the seed is sown in February, March and April. 

 Near Calcutta the seed is often sown as late as July. Some- 

 times two crops are raised in the season, but this is very 

 exhausting to the soil. After the jute has come up, it is care- 

 fully thinned and then left to ripen. It matures in from 

 twelve to fifteen weeks, and sometimes grows to a height of 

 20 ft. The average height is from 10 to 12 ft., and the 

 diameter of the butts from | to i J in. One variety, which is 

 extensively cultivated, has a smooth, white bark and wide- 

 spreading branches. In the northern provinces of Bengal the 

 average yield is from 2,000 to 3,000 Ib. per acre. Near 

 Calcutta it is only from 500 to 1,000 Ib. per acre. In the 

 north of the Bengal Presidency the quantity of seed raised 

 per acre is from 1,000 to 1,100 Ib ; in the south it is from 

 1,400 to 1,500 Ib. per acre. 



Jute is cut while the plant is in flower, as the fibre is then 

 at its best. The seed ripens one month after flowering. After 

 cutting, the stems are usually kept for a few days until the 

 leaves fall off. 



