"TOWN AND COUNTRY LIFE."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 102, 23 January 1908, Page 2

"TOWN AND COUNTRY LIFE."

The interesting farming periodical, which, during-the past few years; lias mado the acquaintance of the' New Zealand agricultural public, under the title of "The Farmers' Weekly," lias; changed , its 'name and increased itv stature., 'If' is : ..npw Mhe "Town and Country Life."- It ,is a neatly printed periodical, with abundant and excellent illustrations and letterpress that always interests. We wish it continued success. MANAWATU A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. ' At a monthly meeting of the Executive of the Jlanawatu A. and P.' Association on Tuesday, Mr.'J. A. Batchelor "was welcomed back from his recent trip to England. It was decided to ; hold the next meeting on February 8, afod: the. annual meeting on'. February 22.... RAMIE FIBRE. A SUGGESTED NEW INDUSTRY. Mr. James Inglis, of Wellington,'is'interesting himself i m the introduction .of ramie fibre cultivation to New Zealand, and has sent us seeds and ,1 sample of 'the dressed fibre. Great efforts are beini mado in, England to get the British colonies to grow this plant. The fibre is like lustrous white silk,, its staple varies from three to eighteen inches in length, and it is claimcd that, while it is many times stronger than cotton, jute, flax/ hemp, etc., it can do the work of all of them. It does not rot, has groat wearing qualities, and is advocated as a superior substitute foi cotton. Since the late cotton shortage, English spinners are said to be anxious to encourage and support the ramio industry in the British colonies! feeling that the eot'toii ficlfls, of which America holds 80 per cent, of the world's area, are an insecure foundation on which to base their business, llamio is now used in the manufacture of woollen garments (which improves, as it does not shrink), undorclothing, .sheeting, dros3 goods, table linon, surgical dressings, velvet, "silk' 1 goods, carpets, curtains, laces,' fishing lines and nets, machinery belting, sailcloth, rickcovers, uniforms, banknotes and other paper, incandescent gas mantles, etc. The market prices of ramie have ranged from £18 to £40 per toil, eiid it. is said to cost, in other countries, about £8 a ton to produce. 'iho bushes are propagated from seeds and cuttings; aro grown in rows,.where they are cultivated in the ordinary way. They are easily treated, and last for 16 or 18 years. They thrive well on most soils, and, if planted extensively, would cater to the desires of those who clamour for manufacturing industries. Thoro nro yet but. few plants grown outside of China and India. The fibre is obtained from the branches nf the plant, and the first crop is cut six months from planting. No harm would ho done by our farmers sowing a few rows of seeds for a test.