312 



stagnant, during the growing season, thoroughly tilled before 

 sowing, and afterwards until the plants cover the ground. 



It has been said that the best quality of jute is obtained from 

 loamy soils, the heaviest yield from clay soils, coarse fibre from 

 sandy soils, and that inundated lands induce root-growth from the 

 stem with corresponding detriment to the fibre (Watt, Comm. 

 Prod. Ind. p. 413). 



In soils requiring manure, about 15 tons of well-decayed farm 

 manure per acre has been recommended to be ploughed in before 

 sowing (Mollison, Memo, to Col. Office, February, 1906) ; where 

 silt is deposited annually very little manure is given, otherwise 

 cultivators apply farmyard manure at the rate of 150 maunds per 

 acre (maund = 82*3 lbs.) = 5J tons approx., and in experiments 

 with bone meal, castor cake, saltpetre, superphosphates and cow- 

 dung, it was found that cowdung gave the best results (Watt, I.e. 

 p. 415). It has also been stated that an application of 100 maunds 

 (4 tons approx.) of cowdung per acre will be found very efficacious 

 (Smith, Agric. Journ. Ind. ii. 1907, pt. 2, p. 160). 



The seed may be sown broadcast, the amount required per acre 

 being given as about 8 lbs. (Watt, I.e. p. 414), or at the rate of 10 to 

 15 lbs. per acre (Mollison, I.e.). 



Germination takes place in a few days, and in about a fortnight 

 the plants will be developing their second leaves. The plants are 

 thinned out to a distance of from 4 to 6 inches, or kept sufficiently 

 close to prevent branching. The crop may take from three to 

 four months to come to maturity, and harvesting should be com- 

 menced when the plants are partly in flower and partly in fruit. 



The stems are cut near the ground, tied into bundles, stooked 

 for a few days, until the leaves dry, and then submerged in a tank 

 or pool of clear water to ret or steep until the fibre is found to 

 separate without difficulty from the stem. The retting may 

 occupy from 10 to 25 days, according to the weather and to the 

 condition of the plant, and it is important that the stems be 

 removed at the right time as the fibre soon becomes impoverished 

 and discoloured if allowed to remain in the water too long. 



The fibre is stripped from the stems, washed for preference in 

 running water, until all the bark is removed, and then dried 

 in the sun. 



When thoroughly dry the fibre is graded and baled for export. 

 The rough ends (" jute butts"), six to eight inches approximately, 

 are cut off and baled separately. The standard of baling is of 

 importance, and shippers in Calcutta have the right to reject bales 

 if it is found that out of five examined there are more than 2£ per 

 cent, of cuttings (U.S. Cons. Rep. May, 1908, p. 142). The baling 

 is usually done by machinery, and a commercial bale weighs 

 400 lbs. 



A good crop is estimated at from 2,400 lb. to 2,600 lb. of 

 fibre per acre (Mollison, Memo, to Col. Office, February, 1906). 

 Another estimate is given as from 6-9 maunds (493-740 lb. approx.) 

 to 36 maunds (2,962 lb.), or an average of 14 maunds (1,152 lb.) 

 per acre (Watt, Comm. Prod. Ind. p. 415). 



The stems grow to a height of 10-12 feet (Mus. Kew). 



