The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-10-17
nsJuts ous.tion.

a - = = =. 1870 - - - ~ ~ ~ r. ~
ThsJuts QUESTION
EDIToRs CLARIos The fact that
the columns Of your valuable paper
are always open 70 any discussion or
information the object Of which IL to
promote new industries In the South,
encourages me 70 send you the fol-
loving information, which nav Be- Of
some interest 10 those iayoring home
Industries.
In 1879 ] raised my frat jute crop.
and iis growth Vas simply perfect
Ever since l kept raising Il annually,
and each succeeding year produced
similar results, excepting this year,
when we had a most erratic and IN
favorable season By the 18th Of
Ap1l We had planted over t&enty
acres Ia jute, but the heavy rains and
overRows that followed the cyclone
Of ths 22d Of April carried away seed
and soil and compelled US to com
nence work anew. We planted and
rePlanted without regard 10 trouble
or expense, until we secured stand.
The month Of May was unusually
cold and wet, with a frost on the 10th
day. affecting seriously the growth
of the plant aud preventing US
from working the crop properly.
June followed with rain every two
or three days, amounting in all 10
about seven inches, and three and
one.half inches during the first seven
days Of July.
From the 9Th ofJuly to the 18th
Of August we had period Of ex-
trcmely dry weather. without a drop
Of rain, and with hot winds from the
northwest. whitening and burning
up not only planted crops, but also
the leaves, 10 a great extent, Of
grown up trees. Our jute crop re
sisted the drcuth remarkably we'll,
had lost none Of it, freshness, but
its growth was decidedly affected,
measuring on the 18th Of August
from four 10 seven feet and n half in
height, while last season, correspond
ing time, il was measured from eight
20 ten feet. On the 10Th and 18th
Of August a refreshing shower visited
our section, aud although it did not
last long, all vegetation, and the
jute plant more especially, derived a
great benefit. Another or two more
rainy days, and in course Of two
weeks our iute crop may reach in
height, or very nearly 30, that OF
last year; but owing 10 20 many adj
verse agencies from its very start
and for the fact also that we have
sown the seed rather thick, the
stalks Of the plant will not show the
substantial growth which secures a
good yield per acre. Yet the mora
will be, that If we can secure a mod
eratoly good crop with such an unfa
vorable season, we have nothing &
fear under more propitious condi
tions Of the weather.
Early In January last Mr.. L Al
bee Smith Of 81. Louis invited
through the press, all inventors o
jute machinery 70 bring them 10 ny
plantation, where a jute crop wa
promised for that purpose, aud here
side by side compete aud show whicl
can do the work better. The sam,
invitation was again extende,
through your valuable paper, am
remains open TO the end Of the sea
son Thus far only Mr.. Albert An
goll of New Jersey arrived Mr.. An
cell brought here two decorticator
Of his first original patent, entirel,
different from the other decorticato
which was sent here last season b,
other parties. Upon testing thos
two decorticators, both for scrappe,
and unscrapped ribbons, we motto
that apparently they have done tn
work well, removing the pith an,
scrapping the bark and leaves a.
most to perfection. Then the rot
ting process followed, and upon
thorough examination II was clearl
shown that the unscrappod ribbon
produced n better sample Of jutc an
lars waste in washing--a point I
considerable impogianee, and vhic
dictates the necessity of feconstruc
ing one OF the decorticators 20 a.
produce unscrapped ribbons.
Mr.. Angel is now making q
needed changes, and by next wee
we expect to be ready to work on
larger scale and obtain more acc
rate results, which again we sha
place at the disposal of your gene
GUS paper for the benefit Of the pu
lie interested IN the jute industry.
In our operations last season we IA
edto notice the defect alluded to abov
owing to the fact that the ribbon the
saved and placed in water did n,
rot we'll, probably on account of Il
advanced stage of maturity Of Il
plant and the advanced season, an
therefore we had no perfect samp
to Judge upon. This years exper
ments will becarried ON at the props
season with the most careful attentio
that the Importance Of the subject r
auires, and whatever the result ma
be the public shall know it throug
the columns Of your valuable pape
With much respect,
G.. MESELAs.
Brookhaven, Miss, Aug. p, 1888.