522 FIBRES 



to the probability of profitably increasing the out-turn of 

 crops in general, including jute, by the application of lime 

 and phosphates, in which important food constituents 

 there appears to be a general deficiency in the soils of 

 Bengal. In view of this deficiency of lime, the addition 

 of household ashes to the farmyard manure is a matter 

 of no little importance, as they contain all the mineral 

 constituents of the organic materials of which they origin- 

 ally formed part. Potassium carbonate and calcium 

 carbonate are both important constituents of wood ash. 

 They are both powerfully basic, and would, therefore, 

 always tend, in however small a degree, to neutralize 

 acidity of the soil, an unhealthy condition which may be 

 said to be directly due to lack of lime. 



Immediately before sowing the land is usually ploughed 

 once, after which the seed is scattered broadcast at the 

 average rate of 8 to 10 Ib. per acre. The land is then 

 either levelled at once with the mooi or henga, or it may 

 again be ploughed crosswise before the use of the henga. 

 The latter is advisable if the moisture is not very good. 

 Experience suggests that the following method gives a 

 more even germination : Plough first and level the surface 

 with the henga or mooi; then sow on the even surface. 

 If the moisture is very good and likely to remain so it 

 is sufficient to rake (Bengalee, achra) or harrow the seed 

 into the soft soil either once or in two crosswise direc- 

 tions, the surface being afterwards consolidated by the 

 henga or mooi. If the moisture is not good the plough 

 may be used instead of the rake after sowing. Of 

 course, it follows that if the plough is used a consider- 

 able proportion of seed is buried very deeply, and a good 

 deal of it may not be able to germinate. It is therefore 

 not uncommon amongst cultivators to use six seers 

 (12 Ib.) of seed per acre. With good moisture, and if 

 the seed is only raked in, three seers (6 Ib.) of thoroughly 

 good seed per acre give an amply thick germination. 



After germination, when the young plants are from 

 i to 2 in. high, it is highly advisable to* pass a rake 

 through the field. In the jute districts the achra, or rake, 

 is commonly made of bamboo ; but the ones in which the 

 essential parts are made of iron are perhaps more useful 

 and, of course, far more durable. The achra is equally 



