RAMIE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2040, 21 August 1906, Page 5

RAMIE.

THE TEXTILE OF THE FUTURE. |To the Editor.] Dear Sir,—At last the merits of this wonderful fibre are becoming known. The Government has at last, issued a bulletin recommending its cultivation, though I doubt if it will get beyond the pigeon holes of the Bureaux of those to whom it has been sent, and it will still be left to the individual to make it known. lam pleased to see also our Agricultural and Horticultural and Botanic Societies, Technical Col leges and Chambers of Commerce are alive to its merits. Special praise is due to that most up-to-date, painstaking and persevering, though very young Institution, the Liverpool University. This admirable Institute of Commercial Research is making the claims of Ramie, the king of fibres, known to our Empire. It can be grown in most of our colonies. If Ramie were pro. duced in quantity cottcn and flax crises would be banished. It would be uni-versally-used if supplies were forth coming. There is no fear of overstocking the market; the trouble is, those who could and would use it are prevented starting owing to absence of supply. There are fortunes for planters. There are to be twb exhibitions here in London, June and December this year, to advance and exploit Colonial produce. Here is a grand opportunity to exhibit Ramie (Rhea). If any of your readers have experimental patches of Ramie i Rhea) I would suggest they send samples tome. i.—Cut a dozen stems as long as possible with all side shoots, leaves, &C, &C DRY THOROUGHLY IN THE SUN BEFORE PACKING. If tOO long for post double up but do sot cut in pieces 2. —Strip from other stems about on. pound of ribbon—as peeled from the items. Dry thoroughly in the sun be ore packing. 3. —Strip, say, another pound of ribbons, but whilst in a green or fluid state scrape off the pclicle or bown bark, and remove some of the gum. This is easily done by drawing the ribbons through the thumb and finger, on which fix a piece of hard wood 01 bamboo ; or draw the ribbons over the edge of a piece of board. Rir»> in a little water and thoroughly dry. If any growers of Ramie will send me these small samples, carriage paid, I will first test and furnish them with a report as to the fibre gratis . I will also, free of expense to the grower or sender, exhibit his specimens at one of the exhibitions,. I cannot too strongly impress on all who send specimens to be sure all is well dried before packing. I am most anxious to help to introduce Ramie, and I should be glad to know the names and addresses of all who in your Colony are willing to co-operate in introducing the industry. To those who know nothing of Ramie, I shall be pleased to send a pamphlet gratis on the cultivation of Ramie, and I recomend every planter to experiment—it can be done lor a cost of five or six shillings only. In the hope you will help to introduce what may become an enormous industry to your Colony, I will thank you in anticipation. Floreat Ramie! I). Edwards-Radclyff, Staines, England. The cultivation of Ramie not only means an agricultural industry, but also the possibility of a rnanfacturing industry following.