The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-01-24
PLAETING.

PLAETING.
Planting can be done from beginning
of April, when fears Of frost are passed,
to the middle Of June, but the early
planting is the most advantageous, for
the reason that the crop natures at a
time when all other crops are laid by,
rs the plantation hands are free 10 save
the Jute fibre, and thus bring in money
much earlier than either corn or cotton.
In India they prepare the ground by
repeated ploughings, and pulyerize the
soil as for wheat crops; then they plant
broad cast, and allow the Jute crops to
take care of themselves, as we do wheat,
oats, and such other crops. We recon-
mend thoroughly small experiments OF
iute raising on the broadcast plan, but
until taught by experience to the con
trary, our first crops must be grown on
the following plan: As soon as the
ground is prepared to receive the crops,
the rows should be marked two feet
apart, and seed sown thinly with drill
ling machine, Just before, or a little
after shower; four to six pounds of
seed will be enough to plant an acre of
ground, and eight to ten pounds for
broadcast planting. The seed comes up
in from four to eight days; and until it
reaches twelve TO eighteen inches above
ground, the plant is of slow growth and
requires protection from weeds and
grass, but once we'll started it grows rap
idly and shades the ground SO that moth
ing else can grow under it, and in three
to three ! months it reaches the height
Of from seven to fifteen feet and from 4
to three inches in diameter of the stalk
above ground, according to the fertility
of the soil.
HARVESTING.
In about three to three J months from
the time of sowing, the plant begins to
bloom, and then is the proper time to
have it cut. At that stage of growth,
the fibre is in its finest coalition, and the
gum upon it dissolves easier, leaving the
fibre silky, soft, and silvery white.
PROCESS OF DEcARTIcATING.
The stalks cut, should first remain in
the ground from one to three days, in
order to allow the leaves to wilt, and
drop off Afterwards they should be
handed to the mill, to pass through the
machine, the working Of which we can
not better illustrate than by reproduc.
ing what questioned friend and veteran
agriculturist editor of the New Orlean:
Picayune describes:
"The jute stalks and branches, placed
upon the apron, are passed about hall
their length into the machine, and Their
the rollers, by reverse action, bring
them back. The apron is reversed, anC
the other ends of the stalks are worked
in the same manner, and then the fibre
in the shape Of ribbons, free from pitt
or bark, is brought back upon the apron
and taken off to be placed in water fol
rotting. The rotting process is merely
to remove the ,gummy matter from the
fibre, and to give it softer feeling Il
the touch, and completely separate tn,
tibres from each other. 1t also removes
the green color and leaves it white, whicl
is more marketable. 1t takes one to tel
days to thoroughly complete the rottinj
J process, and then it is in marketable
shape after it is dried"
One of the principle advantages of tn
decorticater is the important fact tina
it reduces the weight of Jute, when il
condition to be placed in water, abou
| rs per cent, hence its handling become
more economical and easier, as onl
twenty-five per cent are thus to be place
in water, when after it passes through tn
needed fermentation, yields from eigh
to twelve pounds of pure marketabl
fibre. The bulk of Jute stalks is ais
reduced by the decorticator to only fiv
per cent, and thus only 50 much space
needed for the rotting process, an ecor
omy which the Hindoo does not possess
The running Of the machine is no
more difficult than that Of our cotto
gins.