128 



USEFUL FIBER PLANTS OF THE WORLD. 



while the exports of raw fiber to all countries from India amounted in 1894-95 to 

 nearly 049,000 tons, the exports of manufactures also showing large figures. The 

 interest in jute cultivation in this country had its beginning just prior to the time 

 that the fiber began to be largely imported. The Department of Agriculture 

 directed attention to the culture as early as 1869, and in 1869-70 procured from 

 France and India a quantity of the seed for distribution. As a result, hundreds of 

 small cultural experiments were conducted in the South from the Carolinas to Texas, 

 and ample proof was secured that the plant was well adapted to growth in the 

 United States. 



Bast Fiber. — Were it not for its fineness, silkiness, and adaptability for spinning, 

 with the easy cultivation of the plant, jute would not to-day hold the position it 



has secured in the indus- 

 trial economy, for, com- 

 pared with the other 

 textiles, it is very infer- 

 ior. Several American 

 plants that are classed 

 as weeds produce better 

 and stronger fiber, but 

 their cultivation and 

 preparation are yet mat- 

 ters of experiment. One 

 defect of jute is the diffi- 

 culty to spin it into the 

 higher numbers. Its 

 durability is also against 

 it, as the fiber can not 

 stand dampness, and 

 under the best condi- 

 tions rapidly deterior- 

 ates. The bleached fiber 

 also loses its whiteness 

 and in time oxidizes un- 

 til it presents a dingy, 

 yellowish-brown color. 

 Its strength is inferior 

 to most fibers, though 

 it is amply strong for the 

 <<>arse uses to which it 

 ia commonly put, such 

 as the manufacture of 

 gunny sacks, cotton bag- 

 ging, etc., where durability is of less consequence than primary cheapness. 



Samples of the fiber exposed for two hours to steam at 2 atmospheres, followed by 

 boiling in water for three hours, and again steamed for four hours, lost 21.39 per 

 cent by weight, being about three times as great a los^ as that suffered by hemp, 

 manila hemp, phormium, or coir. A similar test of jute with llax. hemp, ramie, and 

 other fibers showed as great a loss, while flax lost less than 4 per cent and ramie a 

 small fraction under 1 per cent. 



Specimens of jute grown in this country experimentally have been found for the 

 most part Buperior to the imported fiber, and with the more careful cultivation aud 

 preparation that would be given it would no doubt command a better market price 

 and be employed in higher manufactures. 



Uses of the Jrj i r. Fiber.— This is employed in three forms of manufacture— weav- 

 ing into fine and coarse fabrics, in tin- making of line twines and cordage, ami in 



Fig. 45. — Plant of jute, Corchorus eapsvlaris. 



