915 
ripe stem. 1f a field is being reaped, and it is desired to increase 
the area, then the canes should be papei cutting them to within 
two inches of the ground. Some one should then follow and 
grub out the remainder of the stalk, zu low enough, if possible, 
to secure a little root on it. This will generally givea piece about 
four inches long, and if inserted into the ground with about half 
an inch left above the surface will make a strong plant in an 
credibly short space of time. The old plants will be all the 
Rue for the removal of the stems for propagating. In the event 
of not wishing to propagate, care should be taken to cut the stems 
as low as possible, as the plants grow much stronger than when 
the old stumps are left five or six inches above ground. 
“ The best distance to Buena is twelve inches apart, with eighteen 
inches between the rows on fair land, but on strong land eighteen 
inches to two feet EH be quite close enough. If planted nine 
inches apart they have to be hand-weeded when young, which is 
ery expensive, whereas at eighteen inches or two feet they can be 
hoed through. If the land is fairly rich and they are kept clean 
while they are young, they will grow so thickly, even at two feet, 
that very little weeding is required, except, perhaps, after cutting. 
The piece which was planted three feet apart is now so thick as 
almost to prevent any weeds growing, except when the crop is 
reapec 
r a long period Rhea has been grown in small quantities by 
the pete of Assam. A note on i cultivation was issued by 
the Agricultural Department, Ass in April, 1897. This was 
prepared by Mr. F. J. Mon ahs in, “Officiating Director of Lands 
Records and Agriculture. He states that the Rhea of Assam at 
the present day is Behmeria nivea. 
A useful memorandwm on the coc of Behmeria nivea 
Mysore was issued in 1897 by Mr. J. Cameron, F.L.S., 
se dL ana of the Lal Bagh Mild ns at Bangalore. This 
contains an SORE almost life-size Oiar kiii of the plant in 
flower and fru 
A note on cup same subject was published by Mr. Ridley in the 
Agricultural Bulletin of the Malay Peninsula for June, 1597 
A very interesting correspondence relating to the introduction 
of Ramie cultivation into Perak appeared in Perak Museuin Notes 
(Vol. ii. pt. 2, pp. 103-124.) 
YIELD OF STEMS AND FIBRE. 
More accurate observation has shewn the promou. yield that 
may be obtained both in stems and fibre from a given 4 
m a small patch of China grass (Bahmeria nive) five 
years old, growing in the open air at Kew, it has been found 
that four square yards yield 100 stems. The weight of these, 
without leaves, was 241bs. This gives a yield at ihe rate 
gie 
D : 
yielded in the second year stems, without leaves, at the feto 
of 26,300 Ibs. per acre: in the third year two crops yielded at 
