Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Preserving and coloring fishing gear made of natural fibers (like cotton, hemp, or manila) is essential to protect them from biodegradation and to reduce visibility in water.
This is achieved by applying chemical dyes and tanning agents using various bathing methods.
Detailed Explanation:
- Analysis of Statement (I): Dyeing and preservation baths for fishing nets are prepared using several methods.
Stating that *only* hot and cold processes are used is incorrect, as it excludes other important chemical and organic treatments.
- Analysis of Statement (II): The standard techniques used to prepare net preservation and dyeing baths are:
1. Hot method: Used for tarring or applying chemical preservatives at elevated temperatures to ensure deep penetration.
2. Cold method: Used for synthetic dyes or chemical treatments that do not require heating.
3. Cutch method: This is a traditional organic tanning process where nets are boiled in an extract of "cutch" (obtained from the wood of Acacia catechu or other tannin-rich barks) and then fixed with copper sulfate.
Since hot, cold, and cutch methods are all used, Statement (II) is correct.
Step 2: Final Answer:
Statement (I) is false but Statement (II) is true, corresponding to option (4).