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Some kinds also yield better fibre than others. A very 
careful classification and comparison of all the races which 
could be found has been made, both as regards yield of fibre 
and quality of fibre, and pure line selections were made in the 
light of the knowledge thus gained. Large quantities of pure 
seed of the best quality are now becoming available, and the 
Government of Bengal has already committed itself to the 
establishment of large seed-growing farms. 
By careful cultivation and by using the best seed it is 
possible that an increase of the order of 15 to 20 per cent. in 
the yield of fibre is ultimately possible from the area at present 
actually under jute, but such a result will naturally take some 
years to achieve. 
About one-half of the raw fibre produced is consumed in the 
Calcutta mills, the other half being distributed between the 
foreign manufacturing centres. The fibre intended for Cal- 
cutta mills is often either packed in loose bundles (drums) of 
one maund each or bulked in three-maund bales. For export 
the five-maund bale is universal. 
In 1910 there were 45 mills in Calcutta, working 677,000 
spindles and 33,000 looms, and employing 204,000 hands. The 
total share capital, which is to a very large extent European, 
of these mills approximates to £10,000,000. 
Statistical details with diagrams are given in the paper 
regarding the exports of raw and manufactured jute to various 
destinations. 
The paper also deals with the pressing need of increasing 
the output of jute: — 
(a) By improved methods of cultivation. 
(b) By extending its area. 
(c) By increasing the production of fibres which can be used 
as substitutes for jute. 
Adulteration and the deterioration of baled fibre known as 
‘“heart damage ’’ also receive attention. 
[ Discussion. ] 
The CuatrmMan: Gentlemen—I am sure we have listened 
with much interest to Mr. Finlow’s paper on jute, and I may 
say, speaking as one who has been connected with the jute 
trade for many years, that his reasoning appears to me to 
be quite sound. I noticed that the value he put upon the 
jute was, comparatively speaking, a low one; because, if we 
take last year, the value of the jute grown in Bengal would 
be something like 60 million sovereigns, that is on his own 
figures of a ten million bale crop. There is no doubt what- 
ever that the expansion of the use of jute goods has been 
