304 Traxsactio.xs of the American Ixstitute. 



and glossy, closely resembling floss silk in appearance ; it is much 

 stronger than tlie best flax, and readily receives the most diliicult 

 dyes without injury to its strength or lustre. 



Mode of Pkopagatixg. 



A rich, sandy soil is the most suitable for ramie cultivation, and is 

 particularly desirable for a nursery, where plants are to be rapidly pro- 

 pagated. For fleld culture the plant will thrive in any good sandy land. 

 To secure a rapid and vigorous growth of roots, the land should be 

 thoroughly and deeply broken up to a uniform depth of about ten 

 inches, and well pulverized. This is highly important, and should be 

 carefully performed to insure a rapid accumulation of roots. 



In propagating, level cultivation is preferable ; root cuttings should 

 always be used fur flrst planting. 



After the ground has been thoroughly prepared <is above directed, 

 the roots should be planted about six feet apart each way, tliree 

 inches deep, and slantingly, with about one inch exposed above the 

 surface ; care should be taken to keep the ground moist around 

 the roots when first planted. ±s^o further attention, with the excep- 

 tion of weeding, is required until the sprouts are about two feet high, 

 wlien they should be gradually and gently inclined towards the earth. 

 When they have attained a height of three or four feet, it will be 

 noticed that they become of a brownish color near the root ; they are 

 then ready for propagation. Incisions should then be made with a 

 thin, sharp-pointed knife at each eye of the stem, which should then 

 be bent gently down, and covered with about three or four inches of 

 loose earth, care being taken to avoid detaching the stem from tlie 

 parent root. About six inches of the leafy end should be left uncov- 

 ered. In the course of three or four weeks these layers will have 

 tnken root, and may then be separated from the main root, divided 

 in pieces, and replanted. In planting in the field, layers may be laid 

 down without being divided. 



Field Culture. 

 After the ground has been ploughed deep and thoroughly broken 

 up, it should be laid off in beds, i-unning the length of the field ; 

 these should be made about six inches liigh aiul four feet wide, with 

 a flat surface ; ])assages three feet wide shouhl be left on each side* 

 and cartways at intervals througli the field. A shallow fuiTOW 

 miglit be run down the center of each bed. If roots are to be 



