You can buy bags in two sizes here: http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/1092
HISTORY OF JUTE IN "THE WEST"
In 1793, the East India Company exported the first consignment of jute. This first shipment, 100 tons, was followed by additional shipments at irregular intervals. Eventually, a consignment found its way to Dundee, Scotland where the flax spinners were anxious to learn whether jute could be processed mechanically.
WHAT IS JUTE AND HOW IS IT MADE?
Jute is an annual plant of the genus Corchorus, grown entirely for its fiber. It is a rainy season crop, sown from March to May according to rainfall and type of land, and harvested from June to September depending on whether the sowings are early or late.
Jute plants are ordinarily ready for harvesting about four months after sowing. The plants, from 8 to 12 feet high, are cut with sickles close to the ground, normally after the plants have shed their leaves. The stems are then made up into bundles for steeping.
The jute fiber is in the outer layer of the stem, between the wood on the inside, and the cortex on the outside, surrounded by soft tissues. During retting, these tissues are softened with the results that the fiber can be separated readily in the subsequent process of stripping. The quality of the fiber depends greatly on the care exercised in retting.
When retting is complete, the bundles are taken out of the water and the stripping process ensues. The stripped fiber is then made up into small bundles which are washed in clean running water. The bundles are then dried in the sun for two or three days. When dry, the fiber is tied up in bundles.
WHAT IS BURLAP?
Also known as Hessian, a plain woven fabric of 5 to 12 ozs. a yard, made of good quality jute yarn. Burlap is used for a wide range of applications and is exported all over the world both in cloth form, and in the form of bags. Both cloth and bags are made in a wide variety of fabric constructions, frequently to conform to the buyer's specifications.
Physical Properties of Burlap
Strength - Burlap is exceptionally strong in proportion to construction, both in tensile strength and tear resistance.
Resists Weathering - Burlap stands repeated wetting and drying with minimum loss of strength.
Versatility - Burlap is available in a wide variety of widths, weights and constructions. It may be dyed or printed, sewn, treated for rot-proofing, laminated, coated to meet any special requirement.
You can buy bags in two sizes here: http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/1092