93 
was thought to be no longer sufficient ; the epidermis must be got rid 
of, and the fibre as far as possible mechanically separated. But a 
present the tendency appears to be to fall back on ribbons, and this 
implies the existence of methods which will produce filasse ‘uninjured 
m 
F 
The United States Consul at S. Etienne in a report quoted in the 
Journal of the Society of Arts (Nov. 16, 1894, p. 946), ppe na this 
as “a chemical process of which M. F avier keeps the secret, but which is 
“ supposed to consist of a weak alkaline solution in which the fibres are 
“ boiled.” Mr, Barraclough, in the lecture already quoted, says (p. 431): 
* Manufacturers use a variety of oe and apparatus. Asa rule, 
“ the most successful of them keep thei r processes of degumming and 
“ bleaching to themselves, and do not patent them.” 
Boyle Process. 
The following information reopening this process is taken from the 
Glasgow Herald (Aug. 13, 1895 
“The Midland Spinning Company of Long Eaton claims that for the 
past twelve months it has en engaged in treating an egumming 
‘ Ramie, and spinning the Miery into yarns which are being sold in the 
tion of M wD and is patented. The a grass or Ramie 
arrives at the works in the f ribbons or laniér It is passed 
through a ser of tanks, or chemical baths, which remove the gu 
and subsequently soften and bleach the fibre. e Ramie is drawn 
slowly through these, clasped between two endless chains kept moving 
by suitable, gearing. A the feeding end the chains are kept about one 
foot apart one above the other, but as they near the first tank they 
ey until they W grasp the bundles of Ramie placed between 
them the fibre passes from one tank to another the chains again 
separate me allow the Ramie to pass between rollers, which are fluted 
breaking cylinders in the first stage and wringing rollers in the latter 
part of the process. The gum i is dissolved in the first tank, and when 
the Ramie has passed the panies the fibre is sufficiently loosened to be 
pulled out free from. the woody part of the bark. When the Ramie 
hi PB : 
occupied is a little over five hours. The sliver is gradually reduced to 
yarn by the usual Tova and spinning frames, which are exactly similar 
to those for spinnin silk and lo ng-staple wools. Thus there can be 
no difficulty in wikia the Ramie-sliver in other spinning mills with 
their ordinary machinery. Twines, fishing-lines, and sail-cloth are also 
manufactured.” 
Gomess’ Process. 
A chemical pronese the invention of Mr. A. E. 5 Gomess, for the 
treatment of 3s or i ý much discussed 
during the last ia years. It is not intended to deal with hand- 
cleaned commercial China grass, but with “ Black Rhea,” by which 
1 
or by machine, From these Ais hard ribbons it is p aue that T 
chemical means all woody particles, the 0 
