FYI, there is an 'oil' or other processing lubricant on those balls of jute, so while 'dry', it is not a clean dry if you will. For best results when using as a fire starter, take 3-4' cut lengths and tie them off to a tree out in the backyard to air and dry out in the sun, wind and/or rain for weeks/months at a time.
Gather some when you know it's good and dry! And store it in a non-periodic correct ZipLok baggie, haha!
At one woodswalk I attend, one is not only timed when starting a fire with flint and steel, but you also need to light a candle by that flame too! One 'pro' did it in only 7-seconds the other weekend! Yup, you read that correctly!