188 



March 1907. 



Used as a tunic in the South African War, it outwore three cotton tunics served 

 to the men in the same company, and with slight repairs to cuffs the Ramie tunic 

 in question would still be serviceable for a considerable time to come. 



Ramie is equally suitable for ropes and cordage, nets, tent cloth, and all 

 forms of coarse material for which hemp or jute are now ordinarily used. It is far 

 stronger and more lasting than either of these fibres, and for rope-making it has 

 many special advantages peculiar to it. The merits of Ramie have long been 

 known to textile manufacturers and fibre consumers in this country, but the supply 

 has hitherto been too intermittent and unreliable for them to be able to adopt it on 

 a large scale. Its superiority over all other fibres is coming to be generally admitted, 

 and the demand for the fibre at the present time far exceeds the regular supply. It 

 the production of the fibre were so increased that a large and constant supply could 

 be assured to manufacturers, there is no doubt that it would be adopted on a much 

 larger scale than at present is possible. 



There is scarcely any plant which can be so widely cultivated over the earth's 

 surface. It will grow and flourish in the temperate zone as well as in the tropics, 

 and under almost any conditions of climate or soil. It is felt that encouragement 

 alone is needed to induce planters in the British Colonies to adopt it on a large scale, 

 and from every quarter letters and correspondence indicate that the Colonist, more 

 particularly in sub-tropical countries, is alive to the possibilities of this fibre. 



The demand for Ramie will, as pointed out above, largely depend for some 

 years to come on the magnitude of the supply, and there is no fear that the supply 

 can outrun the requirements for a very long time to come. The objects of the 

 proposed Ramie Growing Association will be (1) to give general encouragement to 

 Ramie growing by popularising knowledge concerning its value and uses ; (2) to 

 supply information, seeds and assistance to planters desirous of embarking in 

 Ramie growing ; and (3) to give assistance to both grower and manufacturer by 

 placing them in touch with one another. Members will be enrolled for purposes 

 of co-operation. 



Pamphlets will be distributed and will be supplied to members for distrib- 

 ution alike in this country and throughout the Colonies. The assistance of the 

 Press will be sought in making the objects ot the Association known, and in 

 publishing articles on the merits and possibilities of the fibre, and the benefits to 

 a Colony introducing the industry. Seed will be supplied to all those who desire 

 to establish Ramie plantations, and from the outset sufficient to start a large 

 plantation will be despatched on a nominal charge of 5s., which includes full 

 cultural directions and entitles purchaser to a report on the production gratis. 

 Pamphlets dealing with the whole method of growing, harvesting and preparing 

 Ramie will be distributed gratis. A register of all planters growing Ramie will be 

 kept by the Association, and also a register of all manufacturers who use or are 

 willing to use Ramie, and the price at which they are prepared to deal in it, and the 

 extent of their requirements. The Association will be ready at all times to give 

 advice to planters, to test and report on samples, to find a market for produce, and 

 to introduce buyers, and in any other way further the interests of those who have 

 embarked in the industry. It is hoped that in course of time the Association may 

 come to be looked upon as the recognised organisation for the promotion and 

 protection of the Ramie industry. 



All who are disposed to help in the development of this most promising 

 industry are invited to take part in the formation of the proposed Association by 

 pending their names. 



Yours faithfully, 



D. EDWARDS-RADCLYFFEl, 



Hon. Secretary, Staines, Engtandi 



