Betting.—There is great risk of the bundles being swept away by a sudden flood, if, steeped in a stream; serious disadvantage Is also apprehended of the fibre being Impregnated with sand, whioh is always carried in suspension by river currents. Stagnant water, therefore, wherever accessible, is resorted to for this process. But where stagnant sheets of water are not accessible, or where a river is near at hand, the stalks are steeped in the still pools or bays of a tidal river, and sometimes also in running water. The recourse to stagnant pools is injurious to the colour of the fibre, and deprives it of glossiness and fineness; but in this case, especially when u large proportion of decomposing vegetation is present, the process is much expedited. In steeping the stalks in water, they are covered with a layer of refuse tops of the jute plant, or other jungly plants, or with clods of earth, sometimes with cow-dnng, sometimes with the trunks of plantain trees, or loge of the date tree, and sometimes with straw smeared with mud. This is done partly with a view to protect the upper parts of the bundles from the action of the sun, and partly to keep the stalks sufficiently below the surface of the water ; also, it is believed, to hasten the process of retting. In some places, the bundles are first sunk by the root end, which is harder, leaving the upper end exposed above the water, and then, after 10-12 days, the upper end is pressed down to the same level with the root end, so that the whole length of the stalks may ret uniformly. In some places, the bundles are turned over while steeping.
The duration of steeping is obviously regulated partly by the nature of the water used, that is, whether the water is of a stagnant pool, or of a running stream ; and partly by the condition of the plant at the reaping time, that is, whether It was in flower, when the parenchyma of the bark would be tender, or whethet it was in seed, when the parenchyma would be bard. Much also depends upon the temperature of the water while the steeping lasts. It is generally admitted that under-steeping leaves runners and pieces of bark adhering to the fibre, which is found to separate unequally, and to stop chiefly at the small knots which appear on the stem ; thus causing the black specks so often seen in jute. On the other hand, opinion is unanimous that over steeping impairs the strength and flexibility of the fibre, and gives it a dull muddy colour. The process occupies from 2-3 days to a month. While the bundles are under water, they are examined from time to time, to teat hew far tho setting has progressed, and when it has gone so far that the fibres peel off readily, the bundles are taken out of the water, and at once put in hand for the sepa ration of the fibre, according to the several methods prevailing in the different districts. In some places, however, the stalks are first dried in the sun.
Beating, Washing, and Drying.—The process of separation most generally followed is to beat or shake the stems in water till all the resinous substance in the bark is washed away. Tho
operator, standing in the water, takes by either end as many stems as he can grasp, and, removing a small portion of the bark from the root ends, he strips off the whole from end to end, without breaking either fibre or stem. Having thus treated a certain quantity, be proceeds to wash off. This is done by taking a large handful of the fibre, dashing it repeatedly upon the surface of the water and drawing it towards him, so as to wash off the disengaged foreign particles ; then he dexterously fans it out on the surface of the water, and carefully picks off all remaining black spots. The fibro is washed generally in the water in which the stems have been steeped ; but the cleaner the water, and the more frequent the washings, the cleaner and whiter the fibre becomes. Whenever readily accessible, a running stream should be preferred for this process. After washing, the fibre is wrung out, and hung upon lines to dry in the sun for 1-5 days. Sometimes it is exposed alternately to sun and shade for a few days. When dry, it is made up into hanks, and is ready for the market.
Yield and Cost of Fibre.—The out-turn of fibre per acre varies exceedingly in the different districts of Bengal. The average, inoluding all districts, is about 1332 lb. an acre ; hut this figure is not a true index of a fair erop on suitable soil, as it is affected by the scanty yield of a number of unfavour able localities. Taking only the large jute-growing districts, the average would be about 1500 lb. an acre. In the Southern States of America, a yield of 3500 lb. an acre is confidently expected, and may doubtless be obtained with due care and attention.
The estimated cost of the cultivation of 1 acre of jute, and the preparation of the fibre yielded by it, in Bengal, Assam, and Orissa, averages about 16s. This figure indicates what would be the cost if hired labour were employed, rather than the aetnal expense entailed. Indeed it is generally maintained that jute would not remunerate the Indian agriculturist, if the necessary labour were not furnished by the community without cost.
Suggested in tying the jute into bundles or drums before it is perfectly dry, causes much deterioration of the fibre. The season of cutting the jute determines the quality of its fibre, therefore that intended for cordage should be gut in seed ; but for other purposes, such as gunnies, carpets, &o., it should be taken in flower. This fact demands especial attention. The practice of drying the stalks for 2 days before steeping is probably calculated to conduce to the strength of the fibre. Machinery for the cheap and effectual separation of the fibre has not yet been introduced into the industry. In the case of India, such a machine would have to be remark ably simple and cheap. Lefrano's ramie-dressing machine (see Bcduneria, p. 925), is said to have been used successfully.