73 
small scale gave hopes that with larger quantities and suitable boiling 
vessels, properly closed, and with proper machinery to agitate the mass, 
the fibre would be obtained i in a more satisfactory condition. 
THE TILL MACHINE. 
As far as can be gathered from a description privately communicated 
by rP inventor (Mr. C. G. Till), this is a large machine, weighing 
i Lied i 
ong as a 
pe yt action, similar to the Favier and de inantaneer Gatge istine, 
takes about 36 stems of green or dry Ramie at a time. 
yet been fully tested for the out-turn of ribbons, but the inventor 
estimates that it will clean between half a ton and a ton per day. 
PAPLEUX SYSTEM. 
In consequence of letters which appeared in the Melbourne Argus 
at the time of the Centennial Exposition held at Melbourne, inquiries 
were addressed to Kew respecting the Papleux system for cleaning 
Ramie 
This system was at one time in operation by Messrs. W. H. Spencer 
& Co., of Hitchin, Herts, but is now abandoned. Recent experiments 
have been gee on with a formula invented pe Messrs. ee them- 
ag and by means of this they have been successful in preparing 
mall ath bie of. fibre of ekain quality. Itis i protabio that Messrs. 
W. H. Spencer & Co. will eventually be able to treat Ramie ribbons on 
a large scale and convert them by mechanical and chemical means into 
filasse or finished yarns. It is understood, however, that at present the 
process is not available to the public. 
PLAISIER EEES 
A machine, the invention of a Dut h engineer named Plaisier, is the 
subject of an extended Here in da Indiche Mercur of the 19th 
January 1889, by Van Gorkhom. This machine, driven by an eee 
i ia paie ee has been siibbaiatully worked at Deli, in Sumatra, fo 
and it is stated to treat 5,000 kilos of green stems jor 
hay ishing "195 to 150 kilos of ribbons. 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
In the Diplomatic and Consular ods Series 1889 (p. 37), there 
is given an account of an experimental plan ng of Ramie at a colony in 
the Province of Santa Catharina, Brazil. “This colony obtained ‘the 
first prize for a collection of Ramie fibres at the An ntwerp Exhibition. 
In the same Reports, No. 525, on the trade of Hankow, attention is 
drawn to the facilities which exist there for procuring and man See 
Rhea fibre on a large scale. The Consul adds, “it would give uch 
“ pleasure to know that a good business in this article could 
“here, But until machinery for preparing it is perfected, exports 
“would be premature.” 
On the 23rd August last a despatch was forwarded by the Foreign 
Office from the Acting Consul at Caracas, dated the 25th July eat 
giving an account of the formation of an Italo-Venezuelan Company 
plant Ramie on a large scale. Experimental plantations had E esily 
proved so successful that machinery had been imported tò begin the 
operation of preparing the fibre. 
