250 IMPORTANCE OF JUTE. 
universally consumed by the million—peer or peasant. These stems 
have another extensive employ which cannot be passed unnoticed—that of 
furnishing a peculiar quality of fuel suited to the native process of careening 
boats on the banks of the rivers. Great flaming fires may be observed at 
night under the bottoms and sides of the native craft ; men running to and 
fro with bundles of flaming faggots, applying them assiduously, as if they 
were occupied in trying to burn the craft. Looking at the structures them- 
selves, built up of mats and thatch, and appearing like slovenly, ill- 
conditioned hay stacks, that an accidental spark would ignite, it appears 
surprising that such a determined effort should not produce that result. 
The only object, however, is to effect the destruction of the myriads of 
worms or teredz, who, if not destroyed, would in a very short time have 
eaten up the whole fabric. 
Bengal Jute has now attained such an important position in the commerce 
of the world, that any suggestion for its improved production merits 
attention; and there can be no doubt but that the application to it of the 
process of preparing the fibre without water-retting, would effect the most 
eign improvement in its qualities. Such could never make it equal to 
Flax or Hemp; but the method would increase the qualities of strength and 
durability, and fit it for all purposes in which moisture took no part, for to 
this agent it is peculiarly obnoxious. In reference to this point it may be 
worth noticing, that in cases in which it is desirable to ascertain the amount 
of Jute adulteratiou in such fabrics as sail-cloth (in which it appears to me 
to be a highly criminal fraud), a very good test may be found in high- 
pressure steam. A piece of such sail-cloth, kept for four hours in steam of 
30 lb. pressure, lost on simple washing thereafter, 22 per cent.—the decom- 
Sia Jute actually washing out, and with little injury to the remaining 
abric. 
Besides being used in India and exported to England, it is 
sent to America, and will probably be required on the Conti- 
nent ; but it is necessary for the people, if they wish to retain 
or extend their trade, to keep up the quality of their produce, 
which is complained of in the following extract from a letter 
from America to the Author : 
“The article of Gunny bagging for cotton is imported largely into this 
country from India; in fact, is superseding all other descriptions of cloth 
for that purpose. I have been asked several times what it is made of, and 
where manufactured. On both points I am ignorant, and should be much 
obliged if you will give me the information. It is superior to and liked 
better than any other bagging; but the manufacturers are already com- 
mencing to make it inferior, by mixing ordinary (Indian) Hemp or tow 
with it. They will spoil their market unless they desist from such practices, 
for the planters will not use an inferior, if they can procure a good 
article.” (Georgia, 15th April, 1853.) 
Some of the Jute lately imported has been twelve feet in 
length, in bales of about 4 cwt., bound round with Gunny cloth. 
The exports of Jute have already been alluded to when 
referring to the great increase which has taken place in this 
trade. Many other Indian fibres are possessed of equally good 
