State Agricultural Society. 135 



screens, and shelter the growing crops, they could not divert the 

 premium offered for a special purpose from the claimant who had 

 fulfilled the conditions contemplated. The Board did not express an 

 opinion as to the proper distance trees for a forest should be planted. 

 They leave this question to the judgment and experience of the culti- 

 vators, only requiring that the trees should be planted for permanent 

 growth. The same premium is continued for eighteen hundred and 

 seventy-one. 



EAMIB. 



First Statement op John S. Finch. 



Hayward's, Alameda County, October 20, 1870. 



Eobert Beck, Esq., Secretary State Board of Agriculture: 



Dear Sir: This will acknowledge the receipt of yours of eighteenth 

 instant, and I hasten to answer your interrogatories seriatim, as follows: 



First — In answer to "What have you done in raising ramie?" I have 

 imported from the State of Louisiana ramie cuttings in sufficient quanti- 

 ties to plant above two acres of land, in advance, as I believe, of all other 

 cultivators, to develop and advance our agricultural importance as a 

 State, and the producing capabilities of our soil and people. 



Second — " How much .land have you planted in ramie?" In answer, I 

 would say, a fraction ov*er two (2) acres. 



Third — " What is the cost per acre?" I answer, the ramie plants suffi- 

 cient to plant one acre cost me, at the time I imported, two hundred 

 dollars (8200), and for cultivating the same, six dollars ($6) per acre. 



Fourth — "How much will an acre produce?" In answer, an acre will 

 produce, according to my own experience and calculation, nine hundred 

 and sixty (960) pounds of long, bleached fiber at one cutting, sample of 

 which I send in envelop marked mumber one, valued at two dollars ($2) 

 per pound. Envelop number two contains the fiber in a state for spin- 

 ning (as sent to me from L. W. Wright, of Brooklyn, New York), value 

 four dollars ($-4) per pound. 



Fifth — " What is your experience in raising and preparing the ramie?" 

 In answer, I find it adapted to the soil and climate of California; not 

 prejudiced by insects or other enemies; hardy, tough, and a vigorous 

 grower, and soon to take precedence of all other textile fibers. My 

 experience in preparing the ramie has been necessarily confined to what 

 I required to show its fiber; but I am told by professional spinners and 

 bleachers that fibre number one can be produced for six cents per pound. 



All of which is respectfully submitted, 



And I remain yours, with consideration, 



JOHN S. FINCH. 



