74 



filling the requirements of a successful decorticator." Mr. Allison 

 made an entirely new and improved machine which was to have been 

 tested last October, but the Department for some reason did not hold 

 the trial. 



Infoimation is given in the Bulletin for March, 1894, on Ramie, 

 and a report on experiments in cultivation is given in the Bulletin for 

 last October (page k ^21). 



The Chinese variety (China grass), with a very white under surface 

 of the leaves, has been most successful in tfce Hill Garden at an eleva- 

 tion of 5,000 feet. The ^Malayan variety (Ramie) is the best kind for 

 low elevations. 



Roots will be available for planting during May. One thousand 

 roots will be given free to each applicant who wishes to experiment. 

 Applicat : ons for roots, stating number required, should be at once 

 addressed to the Director of Public Gardens, Gordon Town P.O. ~N& 

 undertaking can be given that the number required by any individual 

 over J ,000, will be supplied. To sell all or most of the roots to one 

 wealthy syndicate would be to defeat the objects of the Public Gardens, 

 and therefore, if necessary an allotment will be made — proportionate 

 in seme degree to the number required. The charge for each 1,0 00 

 after the first, is 2s. 6d. 



The seed is very small, and requires a good deal of care in dealing 

 with it. If any like to attempt growing freru seed, they should prepare 

 boxes with finely sifted soil; sow the seed on the top, not too thick; 

 sprinkle a very little of the sifted soil over, and keep the boxes shaded 

 from the sun until the seedlings are 2 or 3 inches higb, when the sun- 

 light may be gradually admitted. When they are 5 or 6 weeks old 

 they may be planted out. 



Messrs. Dunlop Brothers 8f Co. to the Honourable the Colonial Secretary?. 



Kingston, Jamaica. 



49 Fenchurch Street, London, E. C, 



17th October, 1895- 



Dear Sir, 



We take the opportunity in replying to your letter dated the 24th 

 September, which you addressed to Mr. S. H. Watson, concerning 

 Ramie Fibre, to reply to you, through the medium of that gentleman, 

 with regard to the article, taking especial attention to the letter from 

 the Director of Public Gardens and Plantations. 



We desire to express our appreciation of your kindness for the in- 

 formation so far given to us, and now desire to do our part as far as 

 possible. 



(1) With regard to the sample of cleaned Ramie Fibre which was 

 sent to us by Mr.Fawcett, we desire to express that whilst it is of some 

 value, probably worth £15 per ton in London, the quality and the 

 value of the article has in reality been destroyed. It should not be 

 "broken up into knots the way that it is, but rather should be kept per- 

 fectly straight and unbroken. We don't wart you. in Jamaica to send 

 it home to us in a cleared state. It will cost you too much for expe- 

 riments, and it will not be worth any more money than sending it 

 home as a raw product. 



