FIBER PLANTS 



171 



grows readily on any strong soil in the Gulf states 

 or the tropics. It is a perennial and yields several 

 cuttings of stalks during the season. The fiber is a 



Ramie. 



very beautiful one, making a fabric midway between 

 silk and linen in quality. 



Immense quantities of jute and other cheap fibers 

 are imported for making bagging. Some of the 

 tropical malvaceous weeds yield a fiber that would be 

 very suitable for this purpose, and there seems no rea- 

 son why an important industry should not be built 

 up in growing these on a large scale and preparing 

 the fiber for the market. 



