298 
* numberless processes and machines Mg inventors have set forth 
* for its manipulation, the result of this wired be viewed as dis- 
* tinetly discouraging. It would almost open s if no bite demand 
“ exists for this interesting fibre, and that, in ae pom attitude of 
* the manufacturing interest, the application of skill either to cultiva- 
* tion of the plant or extraction of the ‘filasse, is premature and 
“& misplaced.” 
In order to understand the present. position of the Ramie industry it 
would be useful to adopt some kind of classification of the details con- 
nected with it. In the first place we have the mere i: usines 
cultivating the Ramie FA and of producing stems with the fibre in 
the best possible condition. This is vavely the work of n planter. 
Secondly, we have the the process or processes ied to separate the 
fibre from the stems in the form of ribbons and filas t is necessary 
for many reasons that this should be done either by t the planter on the 
spot, or by a central factory close at hand. uirdly, we have the purely 
technical and manufacturing er in which Ramie filasse is taken u p 
the spinners and utilized in the same manner as Ve. on, flax, and 
silk are utilized for the purpose of being made into fab 
For our present purpose we may take it for eee that the eultiva- 
tion of the Ramie plant presents no de asina difficulty. Also that if 
a suitable selection of soil is made, and the locality possesses the neces- 
sary climatic conditions as regards heat and moisture, there is no reason 
to doubt that Ramie could be ; grown to greater or > ane in Noc of 
our tropical possessions. As regards the second stage— is 
involved the decortication of the Ramie iilis oid ew ge as ds at 
p. 273, is by no means completely solved. 
On this really hangs the whole subject. The third stage is dis- 
appointing and unsatisfactory, because the second stage is still uncertain ; 
ro 
Luc 
of machinery specially constructed to deal with it, Owing to the com- 
paratively limited supply of Ramie fibre hitherto in the market no large 
firms of manufacturers have thought it worth while to alter the present, 
or put up new machinery to work up Ramie fibre. If appliances, or 
processes for bere. | Ramie in the colonies were already E 
and the fibre came into the market regularly, and in large quantities— 
say hundreds of tons at a time—there is no doubt m anufacturers would 
be fully prepared to deal withit. At present the industry is practically 
blocked by the absence of any really successful means of separating 
the fibre from the stems, and preparing p cheaply and effectively. 
This, after me is the identical pr eil which has baffled solution for the 
last fifty yea 
LONDON: Printed by EYRE and SPOTTISWOODE, 
de e = the ie Majesty s most Excellent ENT. 
esty's Stationery Office 
- [49,—975,—11/88.] 
