VEGETABLE FIBERS. ,597 



worked into silken fabrics, there are few of the uniuitiated who would be 

 able to detect the fraud. We used to hear it remarked that " it is the 

 ramie fiber that makes silk dress-goods crack." 



When mixed with worsted — under its own name — it shows to best 

 advantage ; indeed, it is claimed that the worsted machinery is the only 

 system upon which it can be successfully worked. According to the 

 "Textile Manufacturer," experiments in combing recently made in Phila- 

 delphia proved that the ordinary worsted process can treat it as fine, if 

 not finer than mohair, with the advantage of being a pure lustrous white. 

 American prepared ramie, in comparison with the British — according to 

 the same journal — is more easily worked, the last-named being stiller, 

 more hairy, and less "docile" to the twist than the home product. A 

 brittleness which acts against it in Europe is believed to come from the 

 excessive hackling of the English method of treatment. It is for pro- 

 gressive America to take this manufacture in hand, and, with "Yankee" 

 inventive genius, make a profitable industry out of it, alike for producer 

 and manipulator, through the many applications yet unknown. In 

 Europe, old routine is the great obstacle in the way of large and com- 

 plete development of any new thing. "Industries are cut up by special- 

 ties, for one concern imports ramie from India and China; another 

 prepares it into fiber for comber ; this manipulates it for the spinner, 

 and this for the weaver. Each one makes it a secret affair and a rare 

 profession, working with closed doors against any visitors." The Ameri- 

 can concentrated method of treating such things is far more propitious 

 for rapid progress and the acquirement of new ideas. 



The exact status of this industry in the United States may be most 

 easily presented to the reader in a communication from Mr. Lefranc, in 

 answer to questions submitted to him upon this subject. He says : 



Ramie, as well as abutilon, althea, and other American fibers, could now be turned 

 into commercial products should the supply be made certain. But the spirit of en- 

 terprise has not yet taken that direction. Liberal offers to buy the plants have not 

 succeeded in creating the required interest. No farmers have taken the trouble to 

 gather the wild material nor to plant any. It will take time and exertion before a 

 regular production can be established, xiniess some powerful organization takes the 

 lead in starting cultivation and factories. 



A certain amount of New Jersey and imported ramie is now on the market and 

 offered to manufacturers in proper condition for spinning. It being a new fiber for 

 them, and anticipating some loss of time in studying its manipulation to make yams, 

 they are generally very reluctant to undertake it, and decline to do it in this busy 

 season. 



The worsted machinery being limited here, and it beijag the only system suitable for 

 ramie spinning, the obstacle is more serious than it appears at present. The only at- 

 tempt so far made with the carding system, which is most suitable for the noils, or re- 

 fuse of the combed long staple, was that of a mixture of short ramie with wool for 

 knitting-yam. But from this experiment to the point of a regular adoption there is a 

 space to be crossed over, the test of the knitting or weaving and the test of time and 

 wear on the goods. 



Such are the difiiculties now hindering the final stage of ramie as a commercial pro- 

 duct. As to production of the fiber there is no more difnculty ; it can be produced 

 mechanically and chemically in a satisfactory manneft The whole point in question 

 now is that of inducing worsted spinners to undertake the spinning. 



JUTE. 



It is now about ten years since the Department of Agriculture became 

 interested in the subject of growing India jute upon American soil. 

 Seed was distributed in 1870, and experiments conducted in South Car- 

 olina, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. The resiilt has shown 

 that the plant can be profitably grown "wherever in the Southern States 

 there is a hot, damp climate and a moist soil of sandy clay or alluvial 



