512 Transactions of the American Institute. 



brought and presented several sections of the roots and fiher, and 

 have since p'ocured several handsome specimens of the fabric. I 

 also brought a very fine plant, which left New Orleans May 5 ; but 

 its delicate tropical character was not able to withstand a chilly breeze 

 off Cape Ilatteras, although in a good closed state-room. Its leaves 

 fell off and it never recovered. This proved what I before believed, 

 that the region of Savannah is about the northern limit of its growth, 

 and it is consequently more tropical than even cotton. Tlie fabrics 

 referred to have challenged a full share of attention and admiration 

 at the American Institute Fair, and have been critically scrutinized 

 by silk, flax and woolen manufacturers, many of whom have been 

 experimenting successfully in mixing ramie in their respective fabrics. 

 I may here state that, from early samples sent across the Atlantic, 

 and my urging it before the public as a plant of great value, even 

 before the fair opened, I had a number of orders from Europe, 

 amounting to over twenty-one tons, the heaviest from France, fjr lace 

 and silk manufacturing, and the next from linen manufacturers in 

 Scotland and Ireland. Some from England have since been received. 

 Hamie is an Indian name for the fiber of a perennial plant indigcnious 

 to the island of Java, and brought thence to Europe as early as 1844, 

 and experimented on by several manufacturers, who, however, were 

 unable to produce 2iriy large supply. Continued experiments by 

 many noted scientific Europeans, including Blume, Belastier, Le 

 Claucher, Fortune, Forl)es, and others, convinced them of the superior 

 fineness, tenacity and beauty of texture of this new fiber. It was 

 first introduced in Santa Camapan countv% Mexico, in 1860, and 

 thence taken to New Orleans the following year, though only a few 

 plants were then brought. By care, its ])ropagation has now extended 

 to Texas, where it grows very line, also in Mississippi and Florida, 

 and promises soon to dispute the standing of silk, flax, and even Sea 

 Island cotton. Experiments have already demonstrated that ramie, 

 which only reaches about five feet in height in its native soil, attains 

 nine or ten feet in Louisiana and Texas, and without any perceptible 

 deterioration in the quality of its fil)er. There appears a peculiar 

 adaptation in the rich unctions alluvials of the southern rivers, 

 especially the lower Mississippi, to its full development, and the rich 

 and fertile portions of southern Texas seem equally suitable. 



Dr. J. C. V. Smith. — This is certainly an important subject, and 

 we ought to bo obliged to the gentleman for his paper. 



Dr. Isaac r. Trimble. — Mr. Commissioner Capron of the Agricul- 



