526 FIBRES 



is comparatively common. On the other hand, under 

 adverse conditions, the average yield over large tracts 

 frequently falls to from 10 to 12 maunds per acre (say 

 2 to 2j balesj, or even less. 



On the whole the Government standard of 15 maunds 

 (3 bales) per acre seems to be a fair approximation to an 

 average yield for the whole of the jute-growing tract; 

 but it should be carefully noted that this figure is not 

 intended in any way to convey the idea that wide varia- 

 tions from it are not very common. 



There are two main varieties of the jute plant in 

 common cultivation in Bengal, viz.: 



(a) Corchorus olitorius (long-fruited jute), which is 

 locally known under the following vernacular names : 

 baugi pat (Dacca), tosha (Pabna), satnalla (Faridpur), 

 deo pat (Dacca and Tipperah), desi pat (Hooghly), mita 

 pat (Assam and Orissa). 



(b) Corchorus capsularis (round-fruited jute), deswal 

 or kakya bombai (Pabna), baren, bara pat, chota pat, 

 aussa (Mymensingh), belgachi, dhaleswari (Dacca), 

 bhadya, hewti, bitri (Rangpur and Jalpaiguri), amon, 

 aussa (Faridpur), deodhali (Tipperah), tita pat (Assam 

 and Orissa). 



C. olitorius is more commonly cultivated in the districts 

 surrounding Calcutta, such as Hooghly, Jessore, etc. It 

 is also very common to the north of Calcutta as far as 

 Goalundo, in Rajshahi, and in parts of Pabna. Its culti- 

 vation is on the increase also on the high land in the 

 Dacca district. It produces a strong, rather coarse fibre 

 which is commercially known as desi jute. It is a heavy 

 yielder, but the value of its fibre has hitherto been con- 

 sistently less than that of C. capsularis. In recent years, 

 however, there has been a tendency towards a better 

 appreciation of the qualities of desi jute, the result of 

 which has been a corresponding tendency towards an 

 equalization of prices. C. olitorius does not thrive so 

 well as C. capsularis on lands which become deeply sub- 

 merged. Its cultivation is therefore likely to be restricted 

 to the higher jute-growing tracts. Under these con- 

 ditions, besides the fact that it is a heavy yielder, it has 

 an advantage over C. capsularis in that it can be sown 



