297 
LXXV.-—RAMIE, 
(Boehmeria nivea, Hk.) 
The difficulties attending the development of the Ramie industry 
appear to be not confined alone to propering the fibre as detailed in a 
recent note on the subject (p. 273).* Itis also found that that those 
who have in a measure been ‘successful in preparing the fibre in com- 
received at the hands of spinners and manufacturers. In a word, it is 
found that Ramie fibre when produeed is practically unsalenble in the 
London market at the present time. A corres Juge interested in 
Ramie estates wrote to Kew a short time ago :— 
* We have spent much capital on Ramie, but s yet cannot see our 
* way to commercial success. e have produeod excellent filasse, but 
* the cost has been far too great id the chie eulty seems to rest, 
* not in the production of filasse many systems [if the question of cost 
, 
“ is set aside] have accomplished this, but in the spinning of the filasse 
Sin No British manufacturing firm appears willing to take up 
* this business except on terms that would practically give t 
* monopoly ; they pu esas a guaranteed minimum of raw material 
* whieh we cannot 
In a subsequent m the same correspondent states ;— 
“Tam age to thig k that the only way m succeed with Ramie 
* or Rhea fibre. Have you had any adis imas or can you put 
* me in communication witb, any manufacturers, who may be disposed 
“ to take up this fibre as a specialty? I am interested in a works and 
* process for the preparation ree Ramie filasse in the form similar to the 
* enclosed sample. With our present appliances we could undertake to 
* deliver it at from ten to twenty ewts. weekly. So far we have -: een 
* able to find any manufacturers here so inclined, and the ed 
* material has been sent abroad. you can render me any bras 
* it will be esteemed a favour." 
Since the receipt of these letters Kew has been favoured by Mes 
Ide and Christie, a respectable firm of fibre brokers in the City, "idid a 
mon ovember. In this 
eopy of thei y circular dated the 15th November. 
cireular, under the head of China Grass and Ramie, it is stated :— 
n 31st ulto. a large parcel, consisting o 130 t 
* ribbons and 20 tons ramie or rhea in various stage preparation, 
“ were put up for publie sale, practically without reserve, and afte 
r 
* Kew Bulletin, November 1888, p. 273. 
