CULTIVATION OF THE RHEA

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 225, 28 September 1897, Page 5

CULTIVATION OF THE RHEA

With reference to the cable message published recently, that Mr Max Kown intends visiting the colonies to obtain from the Governments facilities for the cultivation in Australasia of the rhea, a valuable libre plant, Mr D. Martin, the Victorian Secretary for Agriculture, has for the last 10 years given close attention to the growing of this fibre, it being generally known here as ramie. In 1889 (says the "" Argus") he published a full description of the plant, the method of cultivation, ami the treatment of tlie libre. At the same time he obtained seeds, and plants were grown from them in various parts of Victoria. The libre glow freely in that colony, but not so rapidly as it does in tropical countries, where three or four "cuts" or crops are obtained in the year to two in Victoria. The great difficulty hitherto has been the absence of a cheap and effective process for removing the gummy matter from the bark, from which the libre is obtained. So far back as 1849 an English firm patented a process sor boiling the .stern.s in an alkaline folution to free it from the glutinous substance, and since then large rewards have been oll'ered by the French and Indian Governments for machines which could successfully treat the iibre; but these offers did not achieve the object in view. When, however, Sir George Turner was recently in London, information was given to him respecting the "<;omess" process of treating the libre, in which zincate of soda i,s used for the elimination of the resinous KubsUince. The firm which has secured this process has intimated that it will require the raw material in the sliapo of ribbons or strips, and there will bo a large and continuous demand for it. The juice quoted for fibre delivered in London is from £10 to £11 a ton. A number of persons in New Zealand are so satisfied with the account given of the gomess process that they have deputed Mr Holmes to vinit London to inquire into it, and, if possible, secure tliu process for treating New Zealand flax. Mr Martin has samples of ramie in the fibrous .state and manufactured into such, articles as sailcloth, canvas, damask, lace curtains, flannelette, silk dress material, plushes, and printed velvets.

For some time past Mr Sydney Smith (Minister for Agriculture in New South Wales) has been giving attention to this subject, being well aware that the rliea plant yields one of the best and strongest fibres known. It thrives well in the moist semi-tropical districts of New South Wales. The manager of the experimental farm, Wollongbar, Uiclimond River, has a considerable area under cultivation, and the Minister last season directed that plants .should be distributed free to any person who would like to make a trial. V\) to very recent times there lias been a good deal of uncertainty about the preparation of the fibre for market in consequence of the dilliculty of .separating it from the bark and gummy substance with which it is surrounded. Hut. this dilliculty has been overcome, and machines are now obtainable in Europe which render the preparation of the libre a comparatively simple matter. These machines are made in various sizes, and can be worked by hand, horse, or steam. Mr Smith lias cabled to the Agent-General to purchase a machine and send it out as soon as possible. As it is probable that the machine will be here in a few days, a trial can be mads this season with the plants now growing, and a good indication will be obtained as to whether the cultivation of lite Ramie is likely to prove a profitable industry.