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ing up of a field of ramie when the roots become overcrowded, leveling 

 off the ground and removing all exposed roots, leaving the field to start 

 up anew from the roots that remain buried in the soil. This is a shift- 

 less method at best, as it is impossible under such conditions to secure 

 an even stand over the field, and an even growth of stalks is equally 

 impossible. A course recommended both in California and in Louisiana 

 is to run between the rows with a plow having a sharp rolling cutter, 

 by means of which the superfluous roots are removed, and the rows 

 or beds trimmed to a given width. The method advocated is to turn 

 from one side only, allowing the roots to spread on the other side. This 

 removes annually all old growth, and keeps the stand of plants hardy 

 and vigorous. The course recommended in India, on the contrary, is 

 to replant the entire field every four or five years in order to keep up a 

 vigorous growth that will give a profitable field. 



The matter of securing an even growth of stalks is a very important 

 consideration ; and by even growth not only is meant even length and 

 size of stalks, but uniformity of growth in the individual stalk. A 

 stem of ramie either grows rapidly and rankly, when there is an excess 

 of moisture, or it is stunted and of slow growth when opposite conditions 

 prevail. When one of these conditions follows the other in the same 

 growing crop, the fiber is adversely affected, for in the after processes 

 to fit it for spinning, treatment necessary to reduce the hard or stunted 

 growth to the condition of spinnable fiber may wholly disintegrate the 

 structure of the fiber in the softer or free grown portion of the stalk, 

 and great wastage and loss ensue. Or, the stalks in one part of the 

 field may produce one grade of fibre and those on another portion a 

 different grade ; or the crops from two cuttings may differ in the same 

 way. It will readily be seen, therefore, that when the cultivation has 

 been carelessly conducted, and the stalks are not only uneven in quality 

 in themselves but uneven in different parts of the field (owing to dif- 

 ferent conditions of moisture and soil fertility), that the loss in value 

 may be sufficient to consume the farmer's profits. The only after-culti- 

 vation necessary is to plow, or hoe between the rows, as may be neces- 

 sary to keep the soil free from weeds or in good condition. This work 

 is usually performed in the spring or early summer months. 



As to the operations in the second year, the detailed account of Mr. 

 Allison's experience will give a hint as to the practice that should be 

 followed. Early in April, when the danger of frost had passed, all 

 young growth was cut off but not saved. Fertilizers were applied, and 

 the soil between the rows plowed and hoed. About the 1st of July the 

 first crop was cut, followed by another plowing and hoeing. The stalks 

 were then allowed to grow until about November 1, the time of the 

 second cutting. It would be better, however, not to delay the last cut 

 too late, in order to avoid a "second growth," which takes the form of 

 clusters of leaves, eventually producing branches, and which appear at 

 the point of juncture of the leaf and stalk after the old leaves have 

 fallen. 



IRRIGATION. 



In portions of Texas and California the practice of irrigation will be 

 necessary to secure any results. But there is no doubt that in other 

 States there are localities, not known as irrigation districts, where water 

 must be used to produce a proper growth of stalks. While the roots 



