In the woollen industry, the term “blending” is used to indicate the mixing of different varieties of material (as well as different kinds of fibres) for the purpose of obtaining a mixture suitable for the preparing and spinning of a definite quality and colour of material.  In much the same way, the term “batching” is used in the jute industry, although it will be seen shortly that a more extensive use is made of the word.  A “batch,” in its simplest definition, therefore indicates a number of bales which is suitable for subsequent handling in the Batching Department.  This number may include 5, 6, 7 or more bales of jute according to the amount of accommodation in the preparing department.

All the above bales of a batch may be composed of the same standard quality of jute, although the marks may be different.  It must be remembered that although the marks have a distinct reference to quality and colour, they actually represent some particular firm or firms of balers or merchants.  At other times, the batch of 5 to 10 bales may be composed of different qualities of jute, the number of each kind depending partly upon the finished price of the yarn, partly upon the colour, and partly upon the spinning properties of the combination.

It will be understood that the purpose for which the finished yarn is to be used will determine largely the choice of the bales for any particular batch.  For example, to refer to a simple differentiation, the yarn which is to be used for the warp threads in the weaving of cloth must, in nearly every case, have properties which differ in some respects from the yarn which is to be used as weft for the same cloth.

On the whole, it will be found advantageous, when the same grade of jute is required, to select a batch from different balers’ marks so that throughout the various seasons an average quality may be produced.  The same class of yarn is expected at all times of the year, but it is well known that the properties of any one mark may vary from time to time owing to the slight variations in the manipulation of the fibre at the farms, and to the variations of the weather during the time of growth, and during the season generally.

A list of the bales for the batch is sent to the batching department, this list being known as a “batch-ticket.”  The bales are, of course, defined by their marks, and those mentioned on the batch-ticket must be rigidly adhered to for one particular class of yarn; if there is any chance of one kind running short, the condition should be notified in time so that a suitable mark may be selected to take its place without effecting any great change in the character or quality of the yarn.