48 



to produce Eamie ribbons, that is, to secure the complete removal of 

 the cortex (which contains the fibre) from the green stems, at such a 

 cost as will prove remunerative to themselves and at the same time 

 allow suflicient margin for the cost of converting these ribbons into 

 filasse ready for the spinners. Hitherto the want of success in the 

 production of ribbons has apparently been the only obstacle to the de- 

 velopment of a Ramie industry. And probably on this account the 

 Paris trials were wholly devoted to the production of ribbons and not 

 of filasse. The conversion of ribbons into filasse is a subject believed 

 to be more easily dealt with. In fact there are several systems ex- 

 clusively devoted to this department which appear to accomplish it. 

 Some machines, it is true, have attempted to produce filasse by a single 

 process from the green stems. The result has not been satisfactory, 

 and it is very unlikely that this can be done with a plant like Ramie, 

 in which the individual fibres are so completely immersed in gummy 

 matter. Hence the subject has been divided into two parts. The first 

 is concerned alone in the removal of the fibre in the form of ribbons 

 from the green stems, either in the fields or in their immediate neigh- 

 bourhood. The second is devoted to the treatment of these ribbons and 

 in their conversion by chemical and other processes into filasse, or fine 

 white silky fibres ready for the spinner. The first process will naturally 

 take place where the plants are grown, in the Colonies or elsewhere, 

 and machines like those of Favier and De Landt sheer, or processes like 

 that of Fleury-Moriceau, may be adopted according to the special cir- 

 cumstances of the planter Suflicient progress has now been made in 

 the working of these machines and processes to justify careful trials 

 being undertaken with them both in India and the Colonies. If these 

 machines or any others that may be forthcoming prove entirely satis- 

 factory, and ribbons can be produced at a low initial cost, the question 

 of their conversion into filasse is one which will naturally come into 

 prominence. The conversion of ribbons into filasse will very probably 

 at first at least, take place in Europe, where chemicals and skilled 

 labour are the more readily available. In some countries it may be 

 found advisable later on to establish central factories or usines on the 

 spot (to save freight charges on the ribbons), and ship only the filasse 

 to Europe. In any case once a Ramie industry is well started, there 

 can be no doubt numerous countries will seek a share in it, and only 

 those possessing special advantages for the growth of the plant, a 

 supply of cheap labour, and good facilities for transport and shipment 

 can hope to make it a success. 



The best market for Ramie at present appears to be France. What 

 little is imported into England, in the form of China grass or Rhea 

 is bought up for the French market. In the Monthly Circular of 

 Messrs. Ide and Christie for the 15th October, 1889, China grass is 

 quoted " quiet" at 31s. to 35s. per cwt. ; and Rhea, " no business," at 

 14s to 10s. per cwt. 



With regard to what is known in commerce as " China grass," this is 

 hand-cleaned fibre shipped usually from Chinese ports. It arrives in 

 this country in small parcels, the yearly importation being only about 

 100 tons. It is nearly all taken up by continental buyers. Rhea is the 

 term applied to machine-cleaned fibre, generally in the form of ribbons 

 or half cleaned stuff. The price is much less than China grass, and in 



