9 



they are then capable of obtaining it by their roots. Another thinning when 

 about 3 feet high is needed, and with it weeding should also be done. This 

 time the plants should be thinned 3 inches clear, which provides space to grow 

 to a girth of 4 inches or more. If at this time the soil is cracked, or seems to 

 want watering, the field may be irrigated. By Ashddh (June-July) they 

 will be upto 13-15 feet. [I think weeding and thinning operations are of 

 great importance. I think the distance between any two plants should not be 

 less than 3-4 inches and the final thinning should be done when the plants are 

 less than 3 feet high. Rather less than 1 foot would be better. I believe 

 that early thinning is a considerable advantage. R. S. F.] 



Flooding. Jute seedlings will not stand flooding when young and will 

 certainly die if covered by water. When they grow up to about 5 feet high 

 no harm will be caused by floods which usually soon abate. If the land 

 selected is likely to be flooded, sowing should be put off till the chance of 

 .nundation is over. [If the plant has reached 5 feet before the flood it will 

 probably not come to harm if it is inundated even though the water remains 

 some time. The fibre becomes coarse in the latter case. R. S. F.] 



Flowering. The jute flowers in Shrdvan (July- August). It flowers 

 simultaneously at this time in all localities. If the sowings are late the plants 

 will still flower in Shra*van. Hence it is advisable to obtain the best possible 

 development of bark tissue before the flowering season by sowing in good 

 ] ' time. 



Cutting. The plants are ready to cut for fibre when just about to flower. 

 [The Burdwn results indicate that a better yield of excellent fibre is obtained 

 by cutting the plant when the fruits are just set. This also may be tried. 

 R. S. F.] They should be cut close to the ground by means of a 

 sickle which has small teeth in the bend. The plants should on no account 

 be pulled out ; thereby the outer skin of the root interferes with the bark at 

 the time of the latter^ removal. The sticks should now be tied into small 

 sheaves or bundles, which should be immediately put in standing water. In 

 no case should the bundles be lef b to dry or neglected before putting in water. 



Retting. After about one week a trial test should be made to ascertain 

 whether the bark is ready for removal. For this one stick should be taken out 

 and held between the thumb and the next two fingers and tightly drawn 

 between them from top to bottom ; this removes all the cellular matter which 

 may have undergone complete putrefication. The thick or lower end of the 

 stalk should now be held in the left hand and attempt should be made to loosen 



of the bark at the tip ; if it has become sufficiently retted, it will come off very 

 easily. This should now be stripped off by a small jerk or pull. It should 

 now be stirred or waved in water, by which the undesirable constituents are 

 washed away, leaving the fibre alone. If the bark is found soft and the fibre 

 easily washed clear and is white and shining, then the whole lot may be considered 

 ready to undergo the same treatment. If not, they should be left another day 

 or two and again tested as before. Every day tests should be taken till it 

 seems ready. Usually the bundles are ready for manipulation in from 8 to 14 

 days. Oversteeping weakens the fibre, which crumbles to pieces, and under- 



& steeping causes it to become hard and dark ; so the utmost attention should be 

 maintained on the retting process and every day tests should be made. [lu 



B 939 2 



