277 
gi n Company to 
plant Ramie on a large scale. Experimental plantations had already 
proved so successful that machinery had been imported to begin the 
operation of preparing the 
described in the Ke ‘Bulletin, 1888, pp. 145-149, a Ramie 
factory established in Spain, at Torroella de Montgri, Gerona, in the 
neighbourhood of large Ramie plantations, appear to have proved suc- 
cessful. This factory employed the Favier decorticating machines. In 
a letter dated the 19th October 1889, Mr. Wooldridge, Her Britannic 
Majesty’s Consul at Barcelona, informs me that ** Ramie is still being 
“ cultivated with important results near Torroella, and that they con- 
“ tinue to use the Favier — which are believed to be the most 
** perfect machines of their 
It may be mentioned that these factories are being worked privately, 
and probably the methods and machinery are not available to the public, 
except under a special arrangement with M. Favier. The fibre prepared 
is utilised in France, and does not come into genera] commerce 
t 
process will eventually be produced to ena 5 the fibre to enter into 
commerce and become a regular article of tr 
The results of the Paris trials last year sali discouraged Ramie 
growers, and little if any extension of Ramie planting has taken place 
since Vas time. "The results of the recent trials will no doubt be closely 
scanned by those interested in the subject. The first aim of planters 
iboold be to sions ribbons of good quality at the lowest P en Von 
n other words, planters have to solve the question how to produc 
Ramie ribbons, that is, to secure the com lute removal of p^ ores 
(which contains the fibre) from the green qure at such a cost as wil 
prove remunerative to themselves and at the same time allow sufficient 
lasse, 
fibres ready for the spinner. ‘The first process will naturally take place 
where the plants are grown, in the Colonies or elsewhere, and machines 
like those of Favier See De Landtsheer, or processes like that of 
Fleury-Moriceau, may be adopted horton to the special circumstances 
of the planter. Sufficient gee s has now been made in the working 
of these machines and processes to just iy careful trials being under- 
taken with them both in India and the Colonies. If these machines 
