36i 
bilities  of  the  fibre  and  the  reason  the  Textile  of  the  future  will 
hav’e  such  a prominent  place  in  our  industries  : 
ist, — It  is  many  times  stronger  than  cotton,  flax/hemp  and 
the  like. 
2nd, — It  has  a very  long  staple  from  3 to  g inches. 
^yd. — It  is  easily  grown,  as  it  acclimatises  itself  in  almost  anv 
zone  where,  agriculture  is  possible — of  course  with  va- 
rying results,  as  it  crops  in  some  latitudes  as  many  as 
four  times  per  annum. 
4th. — It  is  beautifully  lustrous,  more  after  the  nature  of  silk 
in  appearance. 
^tJi, — It  does  not  rot,  giving  it,  for  many  purposes,  such  as 
fishing  lines^  nets,  sail  cloths,  ropes,  boot  and  saddlery 
thread,  tarpaulins,  rick  cloths,  tents,  hose,  shop  blinds, 
boot  lining  and  other  requirements  necessitating  ex- 
posure to  damp,  great  advantages. 
6th, — It  is  non-elastic — herein  it  is  invaluable  for  machinery 
belting  and  ropes,  measuring  tapes,  mixed  with  wool  it 
imparls  non-shrinking  possibilities  to  that  article,  and 
many  other  purposes  where  rigidity  is  an  advantage. 
ylh, — I could  further  expatiate  on  its  merits,  but  space  forbids, 
I will  curtail  mv  remarks  bv  stating  there  is  nothing, 
wool,  cotton,  flax,  hemp,  jute,  and  even  silk  produces, 
this  fibre  cannot  imitate  and  in  most  cases  excel.  It 
makes  splendid  cloth  for  uniforms,  and  almost  indes- 
tructible table  linen,  sheeting,  dress  goods,  velvets, 
curtains,  lace,  tapestry  and  upholstery  purposes,  lamp 
wicks,  waist-coatings,  trousers  duck,  riding  breeches, 
&c.  It  is  an  ideal  hygienic  clothing,  invaluable  for 
underwear. 
It  is  pronounced  by  the  Medical  profession  as  the 
most  advantageous  surgical  dressing  and  for  body  wear. 
I will  wind  up  by  pointing  out  its  durability  and  tough- 
ness alone  commend  it  as  a material  that  is  invaluable 
for  its  indestructible  qualities. 
There  are  many  purposes  for  which  its  peculiar  properties  make 
it  extremely  valuable — for  instance  incandescent  gas  mantles.  It 
excels  all  other  fibres,  and  in  this  alone  an  ever  increasing  demand 
will  consume  enormous  quantities.  I could  instance  many  other 
purposes  but  I think  the  foregoing  quite  sufficient  to  extol  the 
merits  of 
RAMIE  THE  TEXTILE  OF  THE  FUTURE. 
Small  farmers  washing  to  start  Ramie  growing  can-do  so  without 
any  great  outlay,  and  they  can  prepare  the  fibre  for  export  without 
costly  machinery.  I do  not  recommend  degumming  stations  except 
on  large  scale.  Small  parcels  of  fibre  can  be  shipped  and  the 
degumming  can  he  done  here. 
Stamps  of  Colony  should  accompany  all  requests  for  parllculars 
as  a [)roof  it  is  not  an  idle  enquiry. 
