222 
intricate element in the problem is the MU T of the two 
rocesses, one mechanical, the other chem It was at first 
longed action of Bera cdm treatment with which it is 
desiablo to reduce to a minimu Hence mere conversion into 
ribbons was thought to be no Toni sufficient; the epidermis 
must be got rid of, and the fibre as far as possible mechanically 
separated. But at present the tendency appears to be to fall back 
on bons, and this implies the existence of methods which will 
produce filasse uninjured by the chemical treatment. Great 
hopes have been entertained of the Favier process, which still 
seems to hold the field in n measure. 'The United States 
Consul at S. Etienne in a report quoted in n the Journal of the 
Society of Arts (Nov. 16, 1894, p. 946), ipsins this as *a 
chemical process of which M. Favier keeps ret, but which 
is supposed to consist of a weak alkaline voted in which the 
fibres are boiled.” Mr. Barraclough, in the lecture already 
quoted, v (p. 431) : * Manufacturers use a variety of processes 
and apparatus. As arule, the most successful of them keep their 
processes of degumming and bleaching to themselves, and do not 
patent them." 
Boyle Process. 
The following information respecting this process is taken 
from the Glasgow Herald (Aug. 13, 1895) :— 
“The Midland Spinning Company of bead Eaton claims that for 
the past twelve months it has ‘been engaged in treating and 
degumming Ramie, and spinning the result into yarns which are 
being sold i in the open m market at very remunerative prices 
ss or ram 
ribbons or lanières. It is passed through a series of tanks, or 
chemical baths, which remove the gum and subsequently soften 
and bleach the fibre. The Ramie is drawn slo wly through these, 
clasped between two endless chains kept moving by s uitable 
gearing. At the feeding end the chains are kept about iia foot 
apart one above the other, but as they near the first tank they 
o eru until they firmly grasp the bundles of m placed 
between them. As the fibre passes from one tank to another the 
chats wins separate and allow the Ramie to pass between rollers, 
which are fluted breaking cylinders in the first stage and wringing 
rollers in the latter part of the process. The gum is ici in 
the first tank, and when the Ramie has passe seeds tt the rollers the fibre 
is sufficiently loosened to be pulled out free from the woody part 
of the bark. hen the Ramie finally emerges at the end of the 
tty i m working this Reinié:eli vef. in other spinning mills 
with their ordinary machinery. Twines, fishing-lines, and sa 
cloth are Ten manufactured." 
