73 
XXVI—RAMIE AS FOOD FOR SILKWORMS. 
(Boehmeria nivea, Hk. & Arn.) 
[K. B., 1890, pp. 174~-175.] 
The Ramie or Rhea plant (Boehmeria nivea) is being experimentally 
CE in numerous parts of the world as a fibre plant. Particulars 
in re to thé numerous attempts that have been made to prepare 
the Bire of the R ercial scale have already been given 
in these pages. It now appears: that the leaves of the Ramie plant 
may be used as a food for mpi in the same a, as those of 
hr 
no reason why they should not be found equally suitable. The follow- 
ing account of the use of Ramie leaves for feeding silkworms in the 
United States was communicated to the For a OOE by Mr. A. de G. 
de Be rae ie H.B.M.’s Consul at New Orl 
“ A discovery has been made by a lady in " Columbia, = C., that ar 
have a marked effect upon two great industries. For a number of 
seasons this lady has amused herself by feeding silkworms ninth sending a 
few pounds of cocoons to the Women’s Society for the Encouragement 
of the Silk aise in sight oer The extraordinary warmth of this 
winter caused the o hatch far in advance of the season, and as the 
young leaves of ais sited and the Osage orange nes not put forth, 
our amateur was at a loss what to do. An account adds 
*** Seeing that the foliage of the Ramie in a neighbouring field was 
putting out, she gathered some and put the worms upon it. They fed 
ravenously, and she kept up the supply until the Osage orange leaves 
appeared. Then she divided her worms equally, feeding one set with 
Ramie, the other with Osage orange. She kept the cocoons separate 
and sent them to Philadelphia. The experts there were astonished at 
the size of those spun by the Ramie eaters, and wrote to the lady to 
know what she ee done to secure them. They were not only larger, 
but the silk wa 
“Tf further expieniibietite should prove that Ramie leaves can be 
depended upon for silkworms’ food, then a great impetus will be given 
to the production of this valuable article in the South, while it willadd 
to the profits of those who raise that plant for its fibre.” 
NOTE ADDED, 1894.—With regard to the above statement, Professor Riley, 
a a 2 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, remarks in Insect Life, 
an baboa a as the discovery is a valuable one, if true. We have endeavoured 
to secure an authentication, but have not succe eeded as yet. In spite oe hen ah 
x Son Oa in u gist where Ta first appeared) writes us mat the item must have 
es, and that he cannot vouch for the 
" a reliability of the re ” ee 
XXVII—PARIS RAMIE TRIALS, 1891. 
[K. B., 1891, pp. 277-278,] 
The s mr of Ramie has one ce more been br hn Sod ae in France. 
mie was held at Paris under the auspices of The Société des Agri- 
culteurs de France on the 25th to the 30th September last. It will be 
