B. p. I.— 782. 



RAMIE. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Kamio (Boehmeria nivea) has been an Important fiber-profliicing 

 plant in Cliina for many centuries. Experiments in tlie cultivation 

 of ramie have been carried on in this country since 1860. Although 

 none of them thus far have led to a commercial industry, interest in 

 the possibility of cultivatmg ramie continues. Ramie fiber, long, 

 strong, diu-able, light, lustrous, and nonelastic, is in some respects 

 the most attractive plant fiber of commerce. Several kinds of ramie 

 goods are appearing in increasing quantities in our markets. Some 

 mills are now engaged in the manufacture of these goods in the 

 United States, and others are bemg equip j)ed for the work. There 

 are more inquii-ies for mformation about ramie than about any other 

 fiber-producing plant. 



THE PLANT. 



The ramie plant (fig. 1) is a perennial belonging to the nettle 

 family and is native m eastern Asia. Herbaceous stalks one- 

 eighth to one-half of an inch m thickness and 2 to 6 feet in height, 

 similar to those of the nettle, but without stinging hairs, grow up 

 each year from the perennial rootstocks. When cut during the grow- 

 ing season, new shoots grow up. The leaves are broadly ovate, ser- 

 rate, green above, and downy white on the under surface. 



RANGE OF CULTURE. 



Ramie is cultivated commercially m China, in Japan, including 

 Taiwan (Formosa), m Chosen (Korea), and to a limited extent in 

 India and Africa. It has never been cultivated on a commercial 

 scale in this country, but expermients conducted by private indi- 

 viduals. State experuuent stations, and by the United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture have demonstrated that it can be grown on 

 suitable soils from Maryland to Texas; also in California and in Porto 

 Rico. 



CLIMATE. 



A warm, moist climate is essential for the successful cultivation of 

 ramie. Cold checks it and severe drought kills it. It is cultivated 



[Cir. 103] 3 



