9 2 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [September i, 1881. 
Under the head of Soil it says :— The Jute grows pro- 
vided that it gets the necessary moisture, and in 
all kind.fi of earth except sandy and gravelly. 
But the culture has much better results in rich allu- 
vial soil, such as that on which cotton is cultivated 
in Egypt. It grows very well also in light sandy 
soil, and, as in Bengal, in soils impregnated with 
salt, or those which can be inundated by salt water 
at high tide?. 
Preparation of the Soil. — The preparatory work ought 
to be done more or less often according to the nature 
of the soil ; thus a hard and compact soil requires 
to be more worked than a light and powdery soil. 
The principal thing is that the earth be exposed to 
the sua at intervals, and that it be well pulverised. 
Grain and Sowing. — The day chosen for the sowing 
ought to be bright, with good sunlight, and after a 
shower or after irrigation has rendered the earth 
damp. The grain is sown with the hands, and then 
with the harrow or wooden plank. The seed should 
be covered with a light layer of soil. 
Quantity of Seed to the Ftddan. — The quantity of 
grain per feddan is nearly 12 pounds ( English). After 
that, during germination, the plants may be found 
at a distance of 6 inches the one from the other. 
This distance permits the rays of the sun to pene- 
trate to the roots, and tbe damp atmosphere to cir- 
culate freely on the earth and in the iuterior of the 
plant it self. 
Time of Sowing. — The period during which the 
sowing of the seed takes places depends, as in Bengal, on 
the soil, the situation, and the season. It commences 
in March and finishes about the middle of June. 
Germination.— Supposing the earth has been irri- 
gated the evening preceding the sowing, the plants 
should appear on the surface of the earth at the end 
of three or seven days. 
Irrigation. — The climate of Bengal, where the rains 
are alternated by sunshine, is best for the culture 
of jute. In Egypt the irrigation should be regulated 
by the progress and the vigour acquired by the 
plants. The critical period for the growth is during 
the shooting. When the plants have attained tbe 
height of two or three feet t.he ground ought to be 
irrigated at least once every month, or more if 
required. After this period of growth, or until the 
plants have attained from 6 to 10 feet, the irrigation 
is not of much consequence, for they have acquired 
enough force to support themselves. However, jute 
certainly prospers better from the beginning to the 
end of its growth in a humid climate, well exposed 
both to sun and moisture. In Egypt this is a question 
the solution of which can only be obtained by 
practical experience. 
The pulling up of Bad Plant and Weeding.— When 
the plants attain the height of 2 or 3 inches the 
bad plants ought to be pulled up, and when the 
plants have attained at least one foot in height 
the thinning of the plants should be proceeded 
with, an crowding hinders their development, and in 
thinning it is necessary in tho first place to pull up 
those plants that are most behind, or those hinder- 
ing the growth of others; As has been already in- 
dicated, the most favourable distance for the growth 
and prosperity of plants is 6 inches the one from 
the oth' j r. 
Period in which the, Plant has Attained a Certain De- 
gree of Development. — When the plants have attained 
about 3 feet; there is no need to do anything ex- 
cept to irrigate from time to time, and to pull up 
the bad plants which remain, especially in places 
where they are crowded together. 
Height of Plants. — The jute grows to the height of 
6 or '() feet, according to the nature of the soil, 
the In at and the regularity of the irrigation; under 
favourable conditions it has been seen to grow to 
15 feet. 
Best Time for Earvest.— Harvest should be made 
when the plant is in full flower, which is three or 
four months after the sowing. When the harvest 
takes place at this time the plant gives the most 
supple fibre, and that of the most, brilliant colour, 
which is most appreciated by manufacturers and most 
easily prepared. When the plant is left to ripen more 
in order to procure seed that gives a greater quanti- 
ty of fibre, but this fibre is hard and thick, and 
very little liked by manufacturers. 
Oleandee Poison. — We had lately occasion to men- 
tion the danger to stock arising from placing oleanders 
in positions to which animals might obtain access. 
The New York Tribune narrates a fatality that recently 
occurred : — "A fine healthy mare ate a single tuft 
of leaves from a branch of an oleander temporarily 
set by the door, then went on a journey of six miles, 
appearing playful and well, but on returning refused 
her feed. Next morning she still refused to eat, looked 
dull and haggard, and had partially lost control of 
her bind limbs. The mare died before assistance 
could be obtained, and on opening the body the dark 
red congested stomach showed the action of an acrid 
poison, and inquiry brought out the account of the 
cropping of the oleander, of the injurious qu \ ties 
of which the owner was entirely ignorant. As this 
ignorance is very widespread, it m»y be well to say 
that all parts of this plant are deadly. A very small 
quantity of the leaves are fatal to the horse, as we 
have just seen. The flowers have produced death in 
those who carelessly picked and ate them. The 
branches, divested of their bark and used as skewers, 
have poisoned the meat roasted on them, and kiUed 
seven of twelve people who partook of it. — Australasian. 
Tea — Mr. Inglis, Indian Commissioner to the late Ex- 
hibition, gave an interesting lecture in the Presbyterian 
Church, at Elsternwiek, on Thursday evening, to a 
large audience, who evidently appreciated ih r : lecturers 
efforts to interest and instruct them. The subject 
chosen was entitled "A Cup of Tea," and consisted of 
a series of graphic word paintings, descriptive of 
planter life on an Indian tea garden. Mr luglis took 
his audience with him from the plains and forests of 
Assam to the valleys of Northern India and the hills 
of Darjeeling. He explained the method of culture, 
the growth of the plant, the mode of picking the 
young leaves or "flushes," the fermentation stage, 
the drying, sorting and packing, and the differr.uces 
between the various sorts of tea. While fully admit- 
ting the excellence of much of the Chinese product, 
he conclusively showed the superiority of Indian 
over Chinese teas, on the grounds of their absolute 
purity, and because they are made under the super- 
vision of men of our own race, with the Lest of 
machinery, backed by capital, intelligent oigauisation 
and with a minimum of handling. The value of the 
interchange of products between Australia and India, 
and the probability of its unlimited application, was 
also powerfully dwelt upon. Tbe more stirring phases 
of planter life, the superstitions, amusements, manners 
and curious customs of the natives were fully illus- 
trated, and the anecdotes and stories of hunting, 
foiest scenes, and wild jungle life fully sustained the 
interest of the audience to the close of the lecture.. 
Mr. Inglis, we believe, leaves for Sydney to-day, and 
we can safely say that both he and his colleague, 
Mr, Buck, have fully realised their functions as re- 
presentatives of a foreign country at the Ex] bitipn. 
They have used their utmost endeavors to plnce the 
resource's of the great country, India, which they re- 
presented, ever before the people of Victoria ; and we 
are justified in predicting that the fruit of their wise 
and spirited efforts will be yet seen in an extended 
interchange of commodities between the two countries^ — 
Melbourne Age. 
