The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-05-02
Jute.
LETTER or PROFESSOR WAREHOUSE.

Ii
DEAR SIR: My interest in the indus
trial welfare of the country induces me
to address you upon subject of great
economic moment.
Personal investigation in India have
fully convinced me that jutc can be nat
uralized in the United States. The con-
ditions of soil and climate in Southern
States and in California are suited to the
growth of this plant. The con mercial
Importance of jute is now immense. The
culture of this staple now adds scores of
millions annual to the productive wealth
of India. Amid all the vast and diver
| sified productions of that fruitful land,
only cotton, opium and rice exceed jute
mercantile value. In 1879, besides all
the domestic consumption of jute, 700,-
600 900 pounds were exported to foreign
countries. The United Kingdom now
annually manufactures more than 30O,-
100000 pounds of the fiber.
The range of its uses is broad 1t now
enters into the manufacture of almost
every kind of fabric, from the coarsest
gunny cloth to the finest satin. 1t is
claimed that the culture of jute is less
exhaustive to the land and more profit
able to the cultivator than that of sugar
cane or cotton. The plant grows with
rank luXuriance. Sometimes the yield
per acre is $500 pounds.
The cheapness of native jute for bags
and baling would facilitate the move
ment of our crops and the revival of our
domestic commerce. The fertility of our
soil, the economy of our agricultural
machinery, our skilled labor and scien-
titic supervision, and our superior chemi-
cal and mechanical processes of treat
ment will assuredly enable Americans
successfully to compete with the rude
manual industry of India in the cultiva-
ton and manufacture of this important
staple.
Planters, chemists and inventors may
prottably direct their attention to this
new source Of personal and public wealth.
Improvements in netho is of cultivation,
in processes of sleeping the plant, and
in mechanical facilities for removing the
bark, would open to ingenious minds I'm
,rodden paths to opulence.
Perhaps the Middle States, also, are
adapted to the growth of jute. Even in
the case of failure, the experiments
would involve no serious loss; while, in
the event Of success, the new Industry
would enrich the nation. But in order
to avoid possible loss, the tests in the
Central States should be made on a small
scale. The experience Of the present
season will determine to what extent jute
culture in the United States can profit
ably be carried.
Jdte seed, and practical instructions
with regard to the time of planting and
the preparation of the fber for market,
can he obtained from the Agricultural
Commissioner at Washington. But the
time for active work has already arrived,
and planters who are purpo.ing to test,
during the present season, the adaptation
of American soil to jute culture, should
make immediate application to the Com
missioner for seed.
An industry fraught with such posi-
blities of national wealth deserves en-
couragemcnt by legislative bounties.
1t is hoped that your E1celency will
further the success Of this undertaking
by official recommendations and that the
Legislature and State Board of Agrcul-
ture will actively aid an enterprise whose
prosperity would so effectively promote
the material interests OF the nation.
Very respectfully yours,
SYLVESTER WAREHOUSE.