ABSTRACT
Jute is a fast-growing plant, believed to have originated in the Middle East, but extensively grown as a commercial crop on the Indian subcontinent. Spun jute forms a strong thread which is used as string or twine. Most of it, however, is woven. The coarser grades of woven material are used for sacking. Woven jute, linseed oil and ground cork are the basic materials used for producing linoleum. Jute is an annual plant, growing rapidly to a height of about five metres when mature. A portion of the crop is allowed to set seed for the next sowing, but most of it is harvested, tied into bundles, weighted with stones and sunk into slow-moving water. In the enzyme production plant it was possible, in the developing Indian economy, to have much more of the equipment specially constructed without a significant price penalty. Mills which have in-house enzyme production seem intent on continuing with this practice.
