212 
sometimes known as the green-leaved China grass. This name 
has been given it as the leaves are green on both surfaces. 
e and the same plant. The Malay name is the one 
generally used in this country; in India, Rhea is chiefly used. 
This plant thrives only in tropical countries and it is useless to 
attempt to cultivate it elsewhere. At Kew it will only grow well 
when kept under glass all the year round. 
Both plants require good deep soil such as is found in alluvial 
deposits in tropical countries. The climate should be warm an 
humid and without a prolonged dry season. In the systematic 
treatment which China grass receives at the hands of the Chinese 
it is abundantly supplied with eie ei pes sagas and by these 
means several crops are produced in one seaso Hence poor 
soil and rather dry situations are quib. vibisaiteble for growing 
these plants. "The relative yield of China grass and Ramie over 
large areas has not yet been definitely determined. This is a 
quality of the fibres and their suitability for various textile 
purposes. The two plants are kept distinct in Jamaica. Mr. 
Faweett, F.L.S., Director of the Botanical Department in Jamaica 
states :—“ The green-leaved Ramie (Behmeria tenacissima) is 
evidently the best for low elevations, while China grass with the 
white under-surface (Behmeria nivea) is the best for the hills. 
At Cinchona (4,800 feet, with a mean ——i of 61:4? F.) the 
latter is growing 10 to 12 feet high.” As r s difference in 
growth Mr. W. Cradwick, at the Hope Gardens ( ON 600 feet, 
mean temp. 75°4° F.), finds that the “ green variety produces 
with. similar treatment about double the number of canes per 
root. 
In the Agricultural Ledger (1894, No. 6, p. 4), issued by the 
Government of India, Dr. Watt draws attention to the different 
requirements as regards climate between China grass and Ramie 
in the Coi Mg) wor 
been done in the majority of experiments hitherto conducted in 
India. From time to time fresh su supplies have been imported 
m China and distributed. all over this country, so that India 
may fairly be characterised as having fully attempted the 
por inaMegH on of China grass, but done little or nothing t toward 
endeavouring to extend the production of Ram ie (B. no 
which for the sake o convenience of MIA we ma 
characterise as its indigenous stock." 
As regards other points: co difference between China grass and 
Ramie the following opinion was expressed in a letter Case 
by Kew to the India Office, disi the 8th May, 1890 :— 
“ Whether the fibre of Ramie is at its best really as good as the 
best China grass (Behmeria nivea) is a point that spoit not to 
