VEGETABLE FIBERS. 595 



ering them -witli eartli up to the under tip, which must not he smothered. One of 

 the causes of the pereimity aud of the vigor of the plant is the nourishment it draws 

 from the agencies of the atmosphere. Consequently the leaves of tho layers should 

 never be buried ujider ground. When projterly performed, laying is very protitahle; 

 it creates an abundance of new roots, aud fills up rapidly the voids of the stand. 



After two years the plants may be so thick as to spread out in the rows. Then the 

 plow or the stubble-cutter has to chop in a line, on one side, the projecting ratoons. 

 If well executed, this operation leads to notable advantages. It extracts roots or 

 firactional plants suitable "for the extension of the cultivation elsewhere; it maintains, 

 aa a pruning, a vigorous life, and developes a luxuriant growth in the stand. If 

 always applied on the same side of the row, this sort of stubble cutting has the re- 

 markable advantage of removing gradually the growth toward the unoccupied land in 

 the intervals, and of pushing it into a new position without disturbance. 



That slow rotation preserves the soil from rapid exhaustion, aud the ramie from 

 decay, through the accumulation of roots tmder ground. Of coiu-se this lateral plow- 

 ing wiU not prevent the opposite row from receiving the benefit of hoeing after each 

 crop. Experiments made in Louisiana have demonstrated the efficiency of that 

 method, to which are due the preservation and proi^agation of the plant in that State, 

 while it has been destroyed in other sections for want of similar care. 



This will serve as an outline of instructions for those who contemplate 

 making an attempt at cultivation, though, of course, the practice of two 

 sections of country as remote from each other as Louisiana and New 

 Jersey, or even Maryland, must differ to a certain degree. If fiu'ther 

 instruction is needed — although I have no authority for making the 

 statement — I am quite sure that Mr. Lefrauc will be pleased to give 

 special information to any who may apply to him that desire to go into 

 ramie culture, whether for experiment or profit. 



In addition to Mr. Lefii'anc'a statements, the following letters, which 

 have been received since they were made, offer additional evidence that 

 several crops of stalks cannot only be produced, but that seed may be 

 matured. They are as follows : 



Philadelphia, March 18, 1880. 



Dear Sir : Yours of the 11th instant was duly at hand. I planted some ramie-roota 

 on my place at Haddonfield, N. J. The roots started in a short time, and I think each 

 propagated 100 from 1. They gave several cuts of stalks in one season, which Mr. 

 Lefranc took and treated in his own way. My opinion is that, so far aa cultivation 

 is concerned, there is no doubt about its success. 

 Yours, truly, 



Charles E. Dodgi!:, Esq. WM. MANN. 



New Jersey State Agricultural Society, 



Secretary's Office, Newark, March 13, 1880. 

 Dear Sir : In reply to yours of the 12th instant, I would state that my experience 

 in the growth of ramie is limited to trials from the seed only, and that of one season. 

 I sprouted my seed in the conservatory. In May I planted in the open ground in both 

 strong and weak soils ; all the plants gave me matured seed the last of September, the 

 stronger soils favoring the growth and earlier maturity. I doubt the success in this 

 latitude in obtaining seed from plants, bat should cuttings favor more than growth 

 from seed, the seasons might give a satisfactory yield. 

 Yours, very respectfully, 

 Charles K. Dodge, Esq. WM. M. FORCE. 



The few ^-eplies to the circular received upon the subject indicate that 

 the value and use of the fiber is little understood by manufacturers. 

 The following brief extracts will serve as iUutrastions : 



[161] Having seen samples of it do not consider it suitable for general cordage, 

 owing to shortness of the fiber. The ordinary rope machinery would not answer for 

 its manufacture, but it would have to be handled the same aa cotton. 



[52] I have had some of the vegetable fibers, China grass, &c., but the expense in 

 reducing them to that degree of softness essential to perfect spinning practically ex- 

 cludes them from all competition with flax and hemp. 



[20] Flax fiber is the strongest and most valuable. 



[72] We have had sami^les of ramie in its raw state, but not made into yarn. Our 

 opinion was that it would make very nice Hues if properly spun. 



