154 Agricultur, Horticultur, Forstbotanik. . 



Considerable difficulty was experienced at the outset in obtain- 

 ing plants, so that it became necessary to establish a nursery on 

 each farm for the multiplication of rhizomes. 



The plantations suffered much from the attacks of white ants, 

 which rapidly destroyed the young roots, and especially the cut- 

 tings. For this reason it was decided that the best method of pro- 

 pagation was by division of the rooted plants. 



It was found necessary to keep the Ramie fields well weeded 

 and cleaned if a good crop is to result; this weeding must all be 

 done b}^ hand. in order to avoid damage to the young plants, and 

 is necessarily expensive. 



Ramie is a very exhausting crop and the question of suitable 

 manure must be carefully studied. At last 45 inches of rain per 

 annum is required for this plant — and two plantations had to be 

 abandoned because the rainfall was found not to exceed 35 inches. 

 On the other hand many hundred of acres of this plant were de- 

 stroyed on plantations established in low-lying districts, in conse- 

 quence of too heavy rains. 



The crop must be carefully watched, in order to ascertain the 

 proper time for cutting. If cut too late decortication becomes much 

 more difficult and the fibre is brittle. Decortication should be car- 

 ried out if possible within 12 hours after cutting. 



The large amount of gum (30 per cent.) contained in the fibre 

 makes it difficult to dry, and special drying apparatus constructed 

 in Paris had to be supplied to each plantation. After drying, the 

 fibre must be at once baled, as it would speedily absorb a fresh 

 supply of water and g-o mouldy if left exposed to the air. 



Many samples of Ramie fibre produced b}^ the S3mdicate were 

 sent to Europe, and pronounced equal in quality to China grass, 

 and very shortly orders were received for 1,500 tons. 20 tons of 

 fibre have already been exported and the Syndicate expects to be 

 able to deliver at least 200 tons of fibre from next years crop, 

 (1906). This is a very moderate estimate, since the normal pro- 

 duction from the area under cultivation should be about 800 tons. 



It is intended to degum the fibre in future, in order to save 

 freight charges, the fibres containing 30 per cent of their weight of 

 gum. The difficulty here however appears to be that the Ramie Spin- 

 ners object to taking Ramie which has been subjected to chemica 

 treatment, each Spinner having his own particular method of de- 

 gumming. 



The account gives some idea of the many difficulties which 

 have to be overcome in the successfull culti\^ation of Ramie. 



The Syndicate was formed in 1900, after six years works they 

 have 1950 acres under cultivation from which they have obtained 

 20 tons of fibre, and possibly 200 tons will be the result of the 

 1906 crop. Clean undegummed fibre is worth about £ 24 per ton in 

 London. At this price 220 tons would fetch £5280, or a return of 

 Si 880 per annum spread over the six years since commencement. 



Decorticating machines, motive power, expenses of manage- 

 ment, labour, freights, &c. have all to be deducted. 



In connection with this account, the prospects of successful cul- 

 tivation of Ramie in Queensland were discussed in the „Queens- 

 land Agricultural Journal" and the following extract are given: 

 „With cheap and abundant and reliable labour, the necessary hu- 

 mid climate, and abundant water supply, and cheap water carriage, 

 one would have expected far greater results." Later the Journal 



