46 



of all the fibres are much lower than they were some years ago. With 

 a recovery in the value of other fibres, the limits of prices here indi- 

 cated for ramie would have to be proportionately increased. 



Keiv Bulletin on Ramie. These conclusions of Dr. F. Watson in 1875 

 may be supplemented by the following articles by Mr. D. Morris in the 

 Kew Bulletin : — 



The difficulties attending the development of the Ramie industry ap- 

 pear to be not confined alone to preparing the fibre. It is also found that 

 those who have in a measure been successful in preparing the fibre in 

 commercial quantities are disappointed with the reception this fibre has 

 received at the hands of spinners and manufacturers. In a word, it is 

 found that Ramie fibre when produced is practically unsaleable in the 

 London market at the present time. A correspondent interested in 

 Ramie estates wrote to Kew a short time ago : — 



" We have spent much capital on Ramie, but as yet cannot see our 

 way to commercial success. We have produced excellent filasse, but 

 the cost has been far too great and the chief difficulty seems to rest, 

 not in the production of filasse, many systems [if the question of cost 

 is set aside] have accomplished this, but in the spinning of the filasse 

 into yarn. No British manufacturing firm appears willing to take 

 up this business except on terms that would practically give them 

 the monopoly ; they also require a guaranteed minimum of raw ma- 

 terial which we cannot give." 



In a subsequent letter the same correspondent states : — 



" I am begining to think that the only way to succeed with Ramie 

 is to follow M. Favier's system namely, to grow and treat it for a spe- 

 cial purpose, and carry it right on to manufacture. Then it will pay 

 right well. At present the filasse that would suit one manufacturer 

 would be useless to nine others, who would want it prepared differently." 



Another correspondent, from a different point of view, appears to 

 confirm the experience detailed above : 



" In the Keiv Bulletin for June last there is an article upon Ramie 

 or Rhea fibre Have you had any applications from, or can you put 

 me in communication with, any manufacturers, who may be disposed 

 to take up this fibre as a specialty ? I am interested in a works and 

 process for the preparation of Ramie filasse in the form similar to the 

 enclosed sample. With our present appliances we could undertake to 

 deliver it at from ten to twenty cwts. weekly. So far we have not been 

 able to find any manufacturers here so inclined, and the prepared 

 material has been sent abroad. If you can render me any assistance 

 it will be esteemed a favour." 



Since the receipt of these letters, Kew has been favoured by Messrs. 

 Ide and Christie, a firm of fibre brokers in London, with a copy of 

 their monthly circular, dated the 15th November. In this circular, 

 under the head of China Grass and Ramie, it is stated ; — 



" On the 31st ulto. a large parcel, consisting of about 130 tons 

 ribbons and 20 tons ramie or rhea in various stages of preparation, 

 were put up for public sale, practically without reserve, and after 

 being widely announced. The prices realised, viz., £8 to £9 per ton 

 for the ribbons, and £20 to £25 for the ramie, were most disappointing 

 and testified to the languid interest which this material possesses for 

 the manufacturers of Europe. Considering the attention with which 



