28; 



Soil — This plant will grow in Jamaica in almost any soil except 

 stiff clay. It grows best in a rich sandy loam, which is 12 to 

 15 inches deep, with a free subsoil. It is important to have perfect 

 drainage, for it is intolerant of stagnant water. 



Preparation of<iroiind — The more thoroughly the ground is tilled 

 before planting, the quicker will the roots penetrate the soil, and 

 the more satisfactory will be the result. 



Propagation and Planting — Ramie is propagated with some diffi- 

 culty from seed, but easily by cuttings from the stem, and very 

 readily and quickly by division of the roots. The difficulties in the 

 way of obtaining a yield of seed, and afterwards in growing the 

 seedlings, as compared with the ease with which cuttings strike, 

 make it unnecessary to discuss propagation by seed. 



To propagate by stem-cuttings, let the stembecome ripe, indicated 

 by its turning brown ; cut it into pieces, each containing 3 eyes 

 or buds, close below the lowest eye, and close above the topmost ; 

 then plant so that the middle eye is just at the surface. It is not 

 advisable to put these cuttings out at once into the open field, as 

 they require a moist soil and shading from the sun for 10 days, 

 t will be found better to grow them for some time in a nursery 

 ntil they have well-developed roots, then plant them out at 

 distances of 1 1 to 2 feet apart, in straight rows. 



To propagate by division of roots is the best plan. It is better 

 done in showery weather. The roots should be cut so that there 

 are 5 or 6 eyes to each portion. Plant out in straight rows at 

 distances of I J to 2 feet apart. Some have recommended 4 feet 

 as a proper distance, but this plan necessitates extra expense in 

 weeding; and besides the fibre will be of better quality with close 

 planting which prevents branching. At distances of li feet there 

 is room for hoeing the weeds, until the plants are strong. If 

 the ground is shaded, as some recommend, then it is not so 

 important to plant close. 



After some time every alternate row each way may be taken up 

 altogether, and transplanted in new ground so as to extend the 

 plantation. 



A Chinese Treatise on Agriculture, says of this plant : " When 

 the tufts are strong enough, the earth round is dug, and new stocks 

 are detached and transplanted elsewhere. The principal stock 

 then grows more vigorously. At the end of 4 or 5 years, the old 

 stocks becoming excessively strong, they are divided and replanted 

 in other beds." 



I^^Col. Hannay, in speaking of the cultivation of Rhea in Assam, 

 says : — " Between the cuttings, all that seems necessary is a fresh 

 opening up of the ground around the roots, which in a regular 

 plantation is best done by hoeing between the rows with a spade- 

 shaped hoe set in a long handle : the person, as he performs this, 

 going backwards, so as not to step over his work ; in fact nothing 

 can be more simple than the cultivation of this plant, all that is 

 reiuired being a loose rich soil, and protection to the crop by a 



