54 



Would be inseparably connected with the stability of his proposad com- 

 pany. In any case Mr. Hollier proposed to bring shortly an Allison 

 machine to the Island, in order to test its capabilities of treating Jamaica 

 fibres. 



Assuming the capacity of the Allison machine to be equal to that 

 which is claimed for it, and that the value of the corded fibre is that 

 stated, the formation of a company to work the machine in Jamaica 

 would be desirable. 



The Committee has not thought it worth while at present to weigh 

 the pros and cons of the formation of a company for working the Allison 

 machine with Jamaican or American capital, as it has not yet sufficient 

 data to go upon. 



Of the value of the degumming process the Committee is at present 

 unable to express a decided opinion. 



The Committee considers it desirable that before making any recom- 

 mendations as to the propriety of encouraging planters and others to 

 adopt the cultivation of ramie, or as to the formation of a company to 

 work the Allison machine — the results of the tests to which the Agri- 

 cultural Department of the (J nited States proposes to subject the Allison 

 machine in the coming autumn should be awaited. 



The Committee would suggest that in the meantime the Department 

 of Public Gardens and Plantations should be asked to propagate roots as 

 fast as possible for distribution amongst those planters who may wish to 

 gain some experience in the cultivation of this product, and who may 

 also desire to have a stock of roots on hand if tho machine prove success- 

 ful ; as well as to accumulate sufficient stock for a thorough test of the 

 Allison machine when it arrives ; and that the Government should be 

 asked whether in the event of a company being formed with either Ja- 

 maican or foreign capital, a certain quantity of crown land would be 

 accorded to it, free of rent for a number of years, to place at the disposal 

 of small settlers for the purpose of growing ramie. 



The Committee regrets that it has been unable to frame a more de- 

 cided report as to the value of the processes for treating ramie, from 

 want of more definite information — information which can only be ob- 

 tained by correspondence. It expresses its willingness to continue as a 

 Commitee, to gather such information as will enable it to draw up a 

 decisive report later on, if the public meeting, after it has considered 

 this report, may wish it to do so. 



In conclusion, the Committee desires to express its thanks to Mr. 

 Hollier for the valuable information which he has so freely imparted to 

 it, as well as for his promise of further information in the future. 



The Committee would recommend that this report should be commu- 

 nicated to the public press prior to the assembling of the adjourned pub- 

 lic general meeting. 



W. Fawcett, 



Chairman of the Committee 



Frank Cundall, 



Secretary of the Committee. 



The Committee will be glad to receive the names of those who wish to 

 form a Company to work the Allison machine, and of those who will 

 undertake to plant ramie (with statement of area), in case the trials 

 of the machine are satisfactory. 



