209 
against  the  weight  of  green  steins.  Of  “ Ribbons  ” 1 obtained 
from  5 per  cent,  to  7 per  cent,  with  the  Eke  machine. 
This  machine  was  loaned  to  me  by  a spinner  who  desired  to  have 
the  “ Black  (or  Brown)  Ribbons  ” which  ^Ir.  Anderson  saw  and 
despised.  The  spinner’s  object  was  defeated  by  his  bankruptcy 
and  the  Liverpool  refuse  destructor  took  delivery  instead. 
1 have  had  both  varieties  analysed  in  London.  The  analyst 
found  little  difference  in  the  two  varieties  and  showed  that  the 
actual  weight  of  pure  hlasse  was  little  more  than  two  per  cent, 
against  the  gross  weight  of  green  stems.  Under  the  circumstances 
one  is  not  surprised  to  hear  of  a loss  of  fifty  per  cent,  in  the  treat- 
ment of  “ Ribbons.” 
I may  mention  that  at  the  hgure  which  Mr.  Anderson  quotes, 
(i.e.,  ;^37.ios.)  for  China  Grass,  the  production  of  Faure  fibre 
would  be  very  profitable.  At  the  same  time  I think  that  any 
planter  would  be  ill-advised  to  cultivate  a single  acre  of  ramie 
before  he  has  signed  a contract  with  some  sound  spinning  firm. 
JuGRA  Estate, 
Selangor. 
I am,  etc., 
C.  E.  S.  Baxendale. 
NOTICE. 
Tobacco  Expert  wanted  for  the  Transvaal. 
Mr.  Joseph  Burtt  Davy,  State  Agrostologist  and  Botanist  of  the 
Transvaal  writes  : — “ I am  anxious  to  know  whether  you  could 
“ recommend  a trained  tobacco  expert  of  scientific  ability  who 
“ would  be  capable  of  taking  charge  of  tobacco-investigations  and 
experiments  in  this  Colony.  We  are  badly  in  need  of  such  a man, 
“ but  he  seems  to  be  hard  to  find.” 
NOTICE. 
It  is  suggested  that  subscribers  who  are  not  residents  of  Singa- 
pore should  send  Money  Orders  in  preference  to  Cheques  in  order 
to  avoid  the  loss  due  to  Bank  discount. 
