CULTURE OF THE PLANT IN JAVA. 353 
mittee, from M. Weber, of Java, as the produce of a plant 
which he called Boehmeria candicans, and also Linum usi- 
tatissimum on the same label. The former is probably only 
another name for our plant, as it is said to be the Rami or 
Ramee of the Malays. The plant is cultivated by the 
Dutch in Java, and its fibre has been introduced into Holland, 
and gold medals awarded to Messrs. Meerburg, of Leyden, for 
specimens of sail-cloth, ropes, cables, &c., and also for some 
finer kinds of cloth and table-cloths. The plant producing 
this fibre was called Boehmeria candicans, and also B. utilis by 
Professor Blume, but it is probably only a variety of B. nivea, 
or perhaps a nearly allied species. 
“ Major Hannay, who has long paid attention to this fibre, 
and to whom much praise is due, was induced to grow, and 
prepare the present samples together with some grown by 
Capt. Dalton (six bales of Dom Rheea and five of Bon Rheea), 
in consequence of applications from this country by merchants, 
who, however, did not offer a sum (£20 a ton at Calcutta) 
which would pay for the expenses of culture and preparation. 
“ Since the samples arrived in this country, I have endea- 
voured to make the fibre known, and its value appreciated. 
Specimens of both the Rheea and the Wild Rheea were sent 
to the Society of Arts, and an account of them published in 
their ‘ Journal’ for the 9th of December, 1853. Specimens were 
also sent to Mr. Marshall, of Leeds ; likewise to the Commercial 
Association of Manchester, to Belfast, to Paris, and to the 
Chamber of Commerce at Dundee. Its fibres have been 
shown to, and specimens given to numerous individuals well 
acquainted with such subjects. 
“ The letter of Mr. Marshall is most satisfactory, as he is 
himself a spinner of the finest yarns, and the largest if not the 
only consumer of China-grass :” 
Dear Sir,—We have examined the samples you sent to us, and I now give 
you the result. 
No. 1. Cultivated Kheea.—This is evidently just the same fibre we are 
using, imported from China, under the name of China-grass. It is not so 
fine in quality as the best descriptions we obtain from China, which are still 
longer than this sample, and of a green colour. We should class it with the 
middle or coarse quality, and estimate its value, delivered in England, at 
£48 to £50 per ton. It appears to be clean and regular in colour, and free 
from dead fibres, which are often a great detriment ; and would be an useful 
quality of fibre, of which we could take a regular supply. ‘ 
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