118 RAMIE CULTIVATION IN PERAK. 



It must be remembered that ramie cultivation is no new thing; 

 in Algeria ten years ago it was extensively planted, not in large estates, 

 it is true, but estates of sufficient sizes to afford quite reliable data, 30 to 

 40 acres for instance : these were worked for two and, in a few cases, three 

 years, and given up in disgust when the parties who had contracted 

 to bu}- the fibre backed out of their contracts. In Mexico, Cuba, 

 Central America, large fibre producers (Sisal hemp) estates were opened 

 up six years ago, and in one case 100 acres planted, but when crop 

 time came the machine used failed to do the work. 



It is given to any one who has planted ramie, even en petit, to 

 discriminate between the garbled reports of interested parties and the 

 well -controlled figures of such experiments as Mr. Fawcect's in Jamaica, 

 or Consul Hosies' in Tamsui (Formosa) or Dr. Blume in Java. 



That no trial has been made in Malaya is a misfortune, but there 

 is prima facie evidence that, given suitable conditions, these recorded 

 figures will be fully maintained and, jjrobably, exceeded. 



I did doubt, in the part, the ability of ramie to ]«iy its way, and 

 these doubts were only cleared when the new model of Faure's 

 machine appeared, but I never doubted the capacity of ramie to 

 yield in Malaya paying crops if the fibre could but be economically 

 extracted. My own experiments, Mr. Allen's seven acres of ramie near 

 Changi (Singapore), Mr. Bluntschli's Paya Nibong Estate in Deli, leave 

 no doubt on this point. I have therefore the fullest belief in the 

 ultimate success of ramie in the Native States, and I am confident 

 that my estimate of yield will prove below the truth. At the same 

 time it will be well to remember that if ramie is not to be weighed 

 down by initial expenses it must be undertaken on a pretty large 

 scale, if due allowance is made for this in the tentative experiments 

 which may be made in your parts I have no fear of the results. 



Yoiu'S faithftdly, 



{Signed) E. Mathieu. 



{Curator, Perak Museum, to Mr. E. MatJiieu.) 



Per.^k Museum, Taipixg, 



Dear Sir, 13^/i April, 1897. 



I have to acknowledge with thanks the sample of ramie fibre prepared 

 by the "Faui-e" machine, which you have been kind enotigh to send me 

 with your letter of the 6th instant. 



The fibre is certainly very nice, and if the machine can turn out 

 similar stuff in the large way on an estate I should think it will prove a 

 valuable machine. 



I have forwarded the sample to the British Resident, and afterwards 

 will place it in the Mtiseitm along with the other ramie specimens. 



Again thanking you for the sample. 



I am, 

 E. Matuiec, Esq., Yotu-s truly, 



SiGLAP Estate, Sing.\pore, {Signed) L. Wkay, Jt:x. 



