52 TEXTILE FIBRES. 



Staines, Middlesex, are perhaps at present the principal firms who are 

 carrying on the ramie manufacture. 



In Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, and America attempts 

 have been made, with a fair amount of success. 



For the introduction of this fibre we are indebted to a Swiss botanist 

 named Benito Boeze, who brought a few specimens from the Island of 

 Java and drew attention to them in the latter part of the sixties. 



Fig. 32. Filasse fibres. 



The local name of the plant varies in different countries. In 

 England it has been known under three names, viz., Ramie, China 

 Grass and Rhea. In Mexico the plant is known as "Ortiga." In 

 China TCHONNIA, and in Japan "Osjo." 



The length of the fibre varies from '088 of a yard to 2 '10 yards. 

 This variation in length of the fibre has been attributed to the 

 favourable or unfavourable latitude the plant has been grown in. 

 Generally speaking it can be cultivated most successfully in from 15 

 to 42 degrees latitude. 



