May I, 1884.] 



THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 



771 



The Ehea is also so capable of being worked with silk, 

 that already iu velvet-making it enters for a large propor- 

 tion, notably at Lyons, which takes all the produce of 

 Louviers for this purpose ; for curtains as well as the 

 finest articles of haberdashery, large fields are opened for 

 the use of this noble fibre, whilst for sail-cloth it has 

 this invaluable . advantage, that whilst flax, when wet, 

 becomes stiff and rotten, sail-cloth made from Rhea- 

 grass is always soft and sound, and though half the 

 weight, is of eqi'oX ^trent/th. 



Samples of all the articles above-named may be Feen at 

 our ofBces, and the actual production of some of them 

 may be seen at extensive works in France, and Belgium. 



In France China-grass is bought as now imported from 

 China, and is treated by the Frcmy-Urbain process. It is 

 then converted into yarn as high as No. 100 i.e.. about 

 50,000 yards to the pound, specimens of which arealso ex- 

 hibited, and any quantity can be supplied for experiment. 



These yarns are produced at Louviers, .and also at 

 the Liniere Gantoise, in Belgium. In order to show the 

 capabilities of China-gi'ass we also exhibit curtains, drapery, 

 sail-cloths, handkerchiefs, shirting, and fancy articles 

 made from China-grass at Huret-Lagache, France. 

 That certainly sounds vei-y satisfactorj-, only that we 

 sboidd like to know the cost at which the Cliina gi-ass 

 was decorticated, dyed, spun and woven into fancy stuffs. 

 ,So far fr.jm being prejudiced against the China gi'ass 

 enteii>rize, we are most anxious for its success. All we 

 want is to feel that the enterprize recommended for 

 adoptiou and the investment of capital in cai'rying it 

 out lU'e on sure gi-ound. 



As to rate if gi'owth, frequency of crops and pro- 

 portions of stems and "ribbands," the statement is: — 



The following statements are, it should be said, taken 

 from actual working in Algeria, and although modifications 

 for or against may be necessary, according to the country 

 in which the work has to be carried on, yet they are 

 confimied by the superintendent of the Government es- 

 tablishment for the growth of Ehea at Hamma, near 

 Algiers, and this gentleman adds, " our exprn-iments 

 made on a sufticieutly large scale to ensure substantial 

 grounds for calculating returns, have no unusual character." 



The first year ^ives crops which are (Umhhd the second 

 year, trebled the third year, and fjnad/'itphd the fourth 

 year, one thousand pounds of green stems giving about 

 100 lb. of ribbons. So soon therefore as the regular crops, 

 i.e., in the fourth year are reached, the ton of green stems 

 ivill cost about 4, - a ton brought to the steaming box, 

 and give at least 10 per cent, of ribbons, the cost of which 

 is consequently ; 10 tons of green stems at 4/- = £2. 



The above figures may be iu excess as to production 

 of one country and below that of another. The mean, 

 however, may be easilj' reached, and, addressing ourselves 

 as we do to experts in the matter, we shall be happy to 

 receive any well-supported iufonnation (founded on the 

 treatment of at least one ton of stems), correcting any 

 figures we may have given inaccurately.' 

 Finally the projectors say : — 



In inviting you to interest yourself in the formation 

 of this Company, permit us to lay before you the following 

 considerations : — 



The two patents (both the property of tlie Lini-Soie 

 Syndicate) in Great Britain and Ireland and every English 

 Colony, effect the following : — 



1st. Decorticate Ramie by Favier's process. 



2nd. Dispense with retting and scutching . 



3rd. Remove vnth unerring acciu"acy such an exact pro- 

 portion of the Cutose, Pectose, and Vascidose (bodies tlis- 

 covered by Professor Fremy to be contained iu the sub- 

 stance liitherto Imown merely as i/iim or cementitious mat- 

 ter) as may be necessary to produce the strongest sail- 

 cloth, cordage, etc., or the finest gossamer filament, giving 

 to this fibre so treated the sti-ength and durable gloss of 

 silk, so that its true name is Lini-Soie. 

 We have not heard whether the representations quoted 

 resultel in the fonnation of a Joint htock Company as 

 wa3 desired. Can any reader tell us? 



. V jipended to the pamphlet from which we have quoted 

 so largely, are extracts from the London Times, which, 

 with a vast mass of other matter on the subject, have been 

 already quoted into the Tropical Afirienltiirist. 



EASY METHODS OF MAKING PICTURES OF 

 LEAVES, FLOWERS, ETC., ETC. 



(By S. K. Lawton, of Jaffn.\.) 

 Nothing can be more interesting and satisfactory to the 

 di.stant proprietor, than to receive exact and truthful pict- 

 ures of the leaves of the different trees on his estate, 

 which, in addition, as representations of the various 

 aspects of leaf and other diseases, would prove'more useful 

 than mere word descriptions. A pencil sketch, besides re- 

 quiring considerable skill in drawing, is liable to be deemed 

 inaccurate and untrustworthy. By the following methods, 

 beautiful and clear images, with dehcate tracings of the 

 nerves of leaves, and gradations of shades, can be pro- 

 duced, and the m.inipulations are so simple that anyone 

 can expect to succeed at the first trial. Besides produc- 

 ing pictures of leaves, the process can be applied for many 

 purposes useful to planters and others. Drawings of ma- 

 chinery, plans, &c., engravmgs, letterpress prnitmg, &c., 

 and even ordinary photographs, can be reproduced any 

 number of times. With a little artistic skill, grasses, 

 ferns and flowers can be arranged and grouped to form 

 very beautiful designs, mottoes, &c. Those who occupy 

 themselves with fret-sawing can multiply their designs by 

 it, and the unfortunate planter can revenge himself by 

 putting in the duplicating frame the "poochies" and winged 

 insects that thwart his enterprize. 



The chemicals required for the work can be found in 

 all dispensaries, and the appliances can be improvised out 

 of the articles found in any bungalow. Have four clean 

 white bottles, and put into one 100 grams chloride of 

 sodium (or common table salt) and 10 ounces of water, and 

 mark it "Chloride." In another, 100 grains of crystalhzed 

 nitrate of silver and 2 ounces of water, and mark •' Silver." 

 In the third 1 ounce of hyposulphite of soda and 10 

 ounces of water, labelled " Hypo." It would be well also, 

 though not indispensable, to have another bottle marked 

 " Gold," with 30 grains of acetate "of soda, 1 grain chlor- 

 ide of gold, and 10 ounces of water. The best water 

 should be used, and in the case of "Silver," distilled or 

 rain-water preferred. The paper to be used is the ordi- 

 n.ary glazed foolscap, without water marks if possible, but 

 the albumenized paper used by photographers would serve 

 much better, if the expense is not an objection. A few 

 ordinary porcelain dishes and a photographic printing frame 

 complete the kit necessary. A fair substitute for the frame 

 can be arranged with a smooth board, a few pieces of 

 felt or flannel of close texture, and a piece of plate glass. 

 Out the foolscap or other plain paper into sizes and im- 

 merse tliem one by one into a dish, filled with the 

 " Chloride" solution, and leave to soak for about two min- 

 utes, and, after slightly removing the superfluous moist- 

 ure with a clean cloth, pin them on to strings to get dry.* 

 Mark one side to show the unprepared surface, and coat 

 the other with the " Silver" solution, evenly and well, using 

 a brush. It would answer better to float the paper on the 

 " Silver" solution in a dish, if a larger quantity than what 

 is given above be prepared. Tin's part of the operation 

 should be done in a dimly-lighte.l room, or preferably by 

 candle-light, as the paper gets spoilt in daylight. Hang 

 up to dry and preserve in a book till wanted. Care must 

 be used in coating with the " Silver" solution, as it causes 

 a stain on everything it come in contact with. 



In copying leaves, select those that are free from irn- 

 perfeotions and of as dark a colour as procurable, and, if 

 the stems are also to be included, reduce their thickness 

 with a knife so as to equalize the pressure throughout. 

 Having evenly spread the felt or flannel over the board, 

 lay the prepared paper over it, unmarked side facing up, 

 and place in contact with it the leaf to be copied. The 

 upper sides of leaves are alwiiys flat and smooth, .and 

 therefore should be in contact with thepaper. The stronger 

 the pressure the clearer the impression ; it is therefore 

 neces.sary to keep the whole pressed down witli a piece 

 of plate "ghss and elastic bands. The whole arrangement 

 is taken out of the room, and placed in sunlight, when a 

 a change takes place in the paper ; the exposed p.arts 



* Albumenized paper should not be put in the " Chloride" 

 solution. It requires only to be Jnuled on the "Silver" 

 solution. 



